Cycads   Encephalartos latifrons

Common Names: Albany Cycad Distribution & Habitat: Rocky slopes in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Description: A medium sized clumping cycad to about 3m tall, forming clumps of up to 8 stems. Leaves are bright green and glossy, and up to 1.5m long. General: An extremely desirable plant to collectors, with the result that poaching has reduced the wild population to such an extent that fertilisation no longer occurs, and hence seeds are no longer produced. Apparantly the last time a wild E. latifrons seeded was in 1925. Culture: An easy but very slow grower, liking a sunny spot in a well drained position.

Figure 1. E. latifrons in habitat.

Figure 2. E. latifrons leaf detail.

Figure 3. E. latifrons

Figure 4. E. latifrons

Figure 5. E. latifrons

Figure 6. E. latifrons

Figure 7. E. latifrons

Figure 8. E. latifrons

Figure 9. E. latifrons in habitat.

Contributed by:	Renier Smit (Figure 1-9)
Links:	Arkive
	Plantz Africa
	Cycad Society of South Africa
	Virtual Cycad Encyclopedia

For further information try
			VCE