Barberton cycad
Encephalartos paucidentatus — the Barberton cycad
Encephalartos paucidentatus is the graceful giant of the Barberton mountains, growing on steep forested slopes and cliffs in Mpumalanga and Eswatini. Old plants build tall trunks topped with long, arching, glossy green leaves that sweep outward rather than standing stiff.
About Encephalartos paucidentatus
The name refers to the few teeth on the leaflets, which are otherwise smooth and narrow. That combination of length, gloss and softness gives the species a fountain-like crown quite unlike the rigid blues.
It grows relatively fast in cultivation for its eventual size, and it is more forgiving of shade than most Encephalartos, which makes it a good choice for a sheltered subtropical garden.
How to identify it
- Long, arching leaves, often over 2 m, forming a fountain-shaped crown.
- Narrow glossy green leaflets with few teeth.
- Tall trunk, to 6 m or more in old habitat plants.
- New flush emerges soft and pale before hardening to deep green.
What drives the price
- Trunk height and crown span.
- Leaf length and gloss.
- Establishment after transplant — large plants are hard to move.
- Verified identity and permit paperwork.
Small plants are attainable; large trunked specimens are landscape features and priced by trunk metre with a premium for a full undamaged crown.
Permits and paperwork
Vulnerable and protected. Possession and selling permits are required, attached to the listing and released securely to the buyer.
Read the cycad sale rulesGrowing it
Warm, sheltered, filtered sun to light shade, with good drainage and steady summer moisture. It dislikes hard frost, dry wind and full exposure while young.
E. paucidentatus questions buyers ask
Buy E. paucidentatus with the identification proven
Independent experts confirm the species, measurements and condition before a plant is marked verified, and every verified plant carries a Cycad Certificate recording its identity and each change of ownership.
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