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Woody > Encephalartos > Encephalartos altensteinii > Encephalartos altensteinii

Encephalartos altensteinii


Prickly Cycad




Origin:  Native to Southern Africa.
Family
Zamiaceae
Genus
Encephalartos
Species
altensteinii
Category
Woody
Type
Tree (evergreen), Shrub (evergreen)
USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 12
Canadian Hardiness Zone
Requires cool season protection under glass.
Height
3 - 6 m
Spread
2 - 5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
Landscape
Ornamental use and container planting when young.
Cultivation
Full sun and partial-shade. Moist, well-drained soils. Prefers loam. Shade, light frost and drought tolerant.
Shape
Dense and upright.
Growth
Slow
Bark/Stem Description
Over time a stout trunk develops.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Produces seed cones. The cones on female trees grow to 55 cm long and resembles a pineapple. Cones on male trees are cylindrical and smaller.
Leaf Description
Stiff, pinnate, palm-like leaves with spiny leaflets. Leaves are whorled into a dense upright crown. Leaflets usually have prickles.
Colour Description
The leaflets are bright green. The cones are yellowish-green.
Notable Specimens
Kings Park and Botanical Garden, Perth, Australia.
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