Cycads   Encephalartos transvenosus

Common Names:
Modjadji cycad,
Modjadji broodboom (local name)

Distribution & Habitat:
Found in South Africa in the Letaba District of Mpumalanga, northern Transvaal, growing at an altitude of 600-1000m.

Description:
This is one of the largest of all cycads, reaching a height of 12m and the trunk being up to 45cm in diameter. The leaves are dark green, glossy, and up to 2.5m long. The leaflets overlap and are reflexed from the rhachis. The female cones grow up to 40kg in weight, and are dark golden in colour.

It is very closely related to E. paucidentatus , the main distinguishing feature being that the leaflets of E. paucidentatus are narrower than in this species.

Culture:
Sunny, moist, but well drained position. Not frost tolerant.
Very quick growing for a cycad, and will eventually form a very large plant.

Figure 1. E. transvenosus

Figure 2. E. transvenosus in habitat.

Contributed by:

Dr Andre J. Cilliers (Figure 1&2)

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