Encephalartos inopinus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Cycadophyta
Class: Cycadopsida
Order: Cycadales
Family: Zamiaceae
Genus: Encephalartos
Species:
E. inopinus
Binomial name
Encephalartos inopinus
R.A. Dyer

Encephalartos inopinus is a species of cycad (Family Zamiaceae) that is native to Limpopo Province, South Africa.[2]

Description

This palm-like cycad grows up to 3 meters tall with stems that are 15-25 cm in diameter. Its leaves are 100-150 cm long, either blue or semi-glossy silver. The leaflets are 14-20 cm long, lanceolate, and have a toothed margin. They grow in pairs at a 180° angle along the rachis. The plant is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female specimens. Male specimens have 1-3 green ovoid cones that are 18-25 cm long and 6-8 cm in diameter with green to silvery color.[3] Female specimens have 1-2 oval cones of the same color, which are larger at 30-35 cm long and 12 cm in diameter. Both types of cones appear in January, which is the middle of summer in the southern hemisphere. The seeds are 20-25 mm long, 15-20 mm wide, and covered with an orange sarcotesta. Both the macrosporophylls and microsporophylls have a flat, smooth, and glabrous surface.[4][5]

Etymology

Encephalartos is Greek and means 'bear's head'. Inopinus is Latin and means 'unexpected'.

References

  1. ↑ Donaldson, J.S. (2010). "Encephalartos inopinus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T41890A149624418. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41890A149624418.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Encephalartos inopinus in Tropicos".
  3. ↑ Bothalia, Volume 8 (1964) p. 169
  4. ↑ Whitelock, Loran M. (2002). The Cycads. Portland: Timber Press (OR). ISBN 0-88192-522-5.
  5. ↑ "Encephalartos inopinus". PlantZAfrica. Retrieved 2024-01-03.


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