Encephalartos cerinus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Cycadophyta
Class: Cycadopsida
Order: Cycadales
Family: Zamiaceae
Genus: Encephalartos
Species:
E. cerinus
Binomial name
Encephalartos cerinus
Lavranos & D.L.Goode

Encephalartos cerinus or Waxen Cycad is a species of cycad in Africa.

Description

This cycad is stemless, growing from an underground stem that's about 30 cm long and 25 cm wide. Occasionally, a small part of the stem may emerge above the ground.

Its leaves, numbering from eight to ten, are flat and opaque, measuring 80–120 cm long, and have a bluish or silvery green hue. The leaflets, 15–18 cm long, are arranged oppositely along the rachis at an angle of 150–180°. They have a thick, waxy coating that releases a distinct odor when rubbed. The leaf margins are smooth with small teeth.

This species is dioecious, with male cones that are spindle-shaped, 55–60 cm long, and 9–10 cm wide. Female cones are ovoid, 30–35 cm long, and 15–18 cm in diameter. Each plant produces only one cone at a time, which changes color from bluish green to yellow as it matures.

The seeds are oblong, measuring 25–30 mm long, and are covered with an orange or yellow sarcotesta.[2]

References

  1. Town, Cape; Africa), South (2020-05-22). "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2024-01-03.
  2. "Encephalartos cerinus". PlantZAfrica. 2019-01-21. Retrieved 2024-01-03.


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