PACSOA - Stangeria eriopus

Cycads

Stangeria eriopus

Synonyms:
Stangeria paradoxa ,
Lomaria lagopus .
Common Names:
Natal grass cycad.
Habitat:
Forests and grassland of the east coast of South Africa.
General:
Apparantly, the Zulu's use the Stangeria (which they call "imFingo"), as protection against ligthning. If you plant a Stangeria alongside each corner of your house, your property will never be stuck by lightning. (This interesting snippet was relayed by Roy Osborne, who swears by it. He has done as directed by the Zulu, and his house has remained completely free of lightning strikes. What more proof could you need?)
Culture:
Lightly shaded, moist, but well drained position.

Figure 1. Plant with cones

Figure 2. Nicely grown plant in SE Queensland.

Contributed by: John Dowe (Figure 1 from PALMS & CYCADS No 35. April-June 1992)
Mike Gray (Figure 2)

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Contributed by:	John Dowe (Figure 1 from PALMS & CYCADS No 35. April-June 1992)
	Mike Gray (Figure 2)