Encephalartos natalensis: Difference between revisions
Cwmhiraeth (talk | contribs) Adding description |
Cwmhiraeth (talk | contribs) Adding distribution |
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|status = NT |
|status = NT |
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|status_system = IUCN3.1 |
|status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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|status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{IUCN |assessors=Donaldson, J.S. |year=2010 |version=2018.1 |id=41937 |title=''Encephalartos natalensis'' |downloaded=6 July 2019}}</ref> |
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|status_ref = |
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|genus = Encephalartos |
|genus = Encephalartos |
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|species = natalensis |
|species = natalensis |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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The Natal cycad grows to a height of {{convert|6|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}} or more. It may have a single trunk or may be branched from the base. The trunk is topped by a rosette of large, leathery, pinnate leaves somewhat twisted near the tip, which may be {{convert|3|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}} long. The leaflets are dark green and about {{convert|6|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide; they may be untoothed, or they may have one or more small prickles on either edge. The longest leaflets are in the centre of the leaf, and the leaflets nearest the leaf base may be replaced by spines, a fact that distinguishes this cycad from the otherwise similar ''[[Encephalartos altensteinii]]''. The Natal cycad is [[Dioecy|dioecious]], that is, it has separate male and female plants. Each of these bears two or three, slightly woolly, yellowish-green cylindrical cones, the scales on the female cones being covered with small knobs. The seeds are bright red and about {{convert|5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} long.<ref name=Gymnosperm>{{cite web |url=https://www.conifers.org/za/Encephalartos_natalensis.php |title=''Encephalartos natalensis'' |author=Earle, Christopher J. |date=28 February 2019 |publisher=The Gymnosperm Database |accessdate=6 July 2019}}</ref> |
The Natal cycad grows to a height of {{convert|6|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}} or more. It may have a single trunk or may be branched from the base. The trunk is topped by a rosette of large, leathery, pinnate leaves somewhat twisted near the tip, which may be {{convert|3|m|ft|-1|abbr=on}} long. The leaflets are dark green and about {{convert|6|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} wide; they may be untoothed, or they may have one or more small prickles on either edge. The longest leaflets are in the centre of the leaf, and the leaflets nearest the leaf base may be replaced by spines, a fact that distinguishes this cycad from the otherwise similar ''[[Encephalartos altensteinii]]''. The Natal cycad is [[Dioecy|dioecious]], that is, it has separate male and female plants. Each of these bears two or three, slightly woolly, yellowish-green cylindrical cones, the scales on the female cones being covered with small knobs. The seeds are bright red and about {{convert|5|cm|in|1|abbr=on}} long.<ref name=Gymnosperm>{{cite web |url=https://www.conifers.org/za/Encephalartos_natalensis.php |title=''Encephalartos natalensis'' |author=Earle, Christopher J. |date=28 February 2019 |publisher=The Gymnosperm Database |accessdate=6 July 2019}}</ref> |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
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This cycad is [[Endemism|endemic]] to South Africa. It occurs in the [[Qumbu]] and [[Tabankulu]] areas of the [[Eastern Cape]] Province, and in a large part of [[KwaZulu-Natal]], including the catchment areas of the [[Mkuze River]] and the [[Umfolozi River]]. It is found at altitudes of up to {{convert|1200|m|ft|-3|abbr=on}}, but seldom close to the coast. It grows on rocky outcrops, south-facing cliffs or steep scarp slopes in forests.<ref name=iucn/> An easy place to see this species is in the gorge below the [[Howick Falls]], where its palm-like fronds contrast with the surrounding broad-leaved trees. Another location is the [[Valley of a Thousand Hills]], where a group of the trees has been declared a "national monument".<ref name=Gymnosperm/> |
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==Gallery== |
==Gallery== |
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[[Category:Encephalartos|natalensis]] |
[[Category:Encephalartos|natalensis]] |
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[[Category:Plants described in 1951]] |
[[Category:Plants described in 1951]] |
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{{cycad-stub}} |
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Revision as of 18:44, 6 July 2019
| Encephalartos natalensis | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Cycadophyta |
| Class: | Cycadopsida |
| Order: | Cycadales |
| Family: | Zamiaceae |
| Genus: | Encephalartos |
| Species: | E. natalensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Encephalartos natalensis R.A.Dyer & I.Verd. 1951
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Encephalartos natalensis, the Natal cycad or giant cycad, is a species of cycad that is endemic to the Qumbu and Tabankulu areas of the northern part of the Eastern Cape, through most of KwaZulu-Natal up to the upper catchment areas of the Mkuze and Umfolozi rivers near Vryheid in South Africa.[2]
Description
The Natal cycad grows to a height of 6 m (20 ft) or more. It may have a single trunk or may be branched from the base. The trunk is topped by a rosette of large, leathery, pinnate leaves somewhat twisted near the tip, which may be 3 m (10 ft) long. The leaflets are dark green and about 6 cm (2.4 in) wide; they may be untoothed, or they may have one or more small prickles on either edge. The longest leaflets are in the centre of the leaf, and the leaflets nearest the leaf base may be replaced by spines, a fact that distinguishes this cycad from the otherwise similar Encephalartos altensteinii. The Natal cycad is dioecious, that is, it has separate male and female plants. Each of these bears two or three, slightly woolly, yellowish-green cylindrical cones, the scales on the female cones being covered with small knobs. The seeds are bright red and about 5 cm (2.0 in) long.[3]
Distribution and habitat
This cycad is endemic to South Africa. It occurs in the Qumbu and Tabankulu areas of the Eastern Cape Province, and in a large part of KwaZulu-Natal, including the catchment areas of the Mkuze River and the Umfolozi River. It is found at altitudes of up to 1,200 m (4,000 ft), but seldom close to the coast. It grows on rocky outcrops, south-facing cliffs or steep scarp slopes in forests.[1] An easy place to see this species is in the gorge below the Howick Falls, where its palm-like fronds contrast with the surrounding broad-leaved trees. Another location is the Valley of a Thousand Hills, where a group of the trees has been declared a "national monument".[3]
Gallery
-
Cones -
leaves
_1.jpg)
References
- ^ a b Template:IUCN
- ^ "Encephalartos natalensis". Tropicos. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ^ a b Earle, Christopher J. (28 February 2019). "Encephalartos natalensis". The Gymnosperm Database. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
External links
Media related to Encephalartos natalensis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Encephalartos natalensis at Wikispecies
