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Encephalartos horridus

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Author: Johann G. Christian Lehmann, 1834
Family:  ZAMIACEAE
Origin:  Eastern Cape; South Africa, Eswatini
Soil:  Mix
Water:  Minimum - Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  30 Centimetres
Height:  80 Centimetres
Flower:  Cones: Bluish-Green
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Eastern Cape Blue Cycad
Synonyms:  Zamia horrida Jacquin.
Encephalartos nanus, Lehm.
Encephalartos vanhallii,
de Vriese
Zamia aurea,
Miq.
Zamia gleina,
Miq.
Zamia nana,
Miq.

This member of the Zamiaceae family was given this name by Johann Georg Christian Lehmann in 1834. It is found in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and in Eswatini, growing in a well drained soil with little to some water and lots of sun. The caudex will grow up to 30 centimetres in diameter and 50 centimetres height. The whole plant will reach 80 centimetres. The cones are bluish-green, the male cone longer than the female.

The name Encephalartos is derived from the Greek. en meaning 'within', kephali meaning 'head' and artos meaning 'bread'. The species name means 'bristly', 'prickly' or 'rough'.


Female cone. The male cone is longer.