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

Encephalartos tegulaneus, the Kenyan giant cycad, is a species of cycad endemic to Kenya. It occurs in Eastern Province near Embu, Kenya, and on the Matthews Range in Rift Valley Province.[1]

E. tegulaneus ssp. powsii is critically endangered due to overcollecting and a very limited distribution. The other subspecies are not critically endangered.

Description

This cycad has a tree-like growth pattern, with a tall, straight stem reaching up to 10 meters in height and 30–55 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves, 120–180 centimeters long, form a crown at the top of the stem, supported by a 15-20 centimeter long petiole. These leaves consist of many pairs of lance-shaped leaflets, each about 16–22 centimeters long, which become spiny towards the base of the petiole.

This species is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. Male plants produce 3-6 cylindrical cones, 40–50 centimeters long and 12–14 centimeters wide, which are bright yellow. Female plants produce 1-4 oval cones, 40–70 centimeters long and 19–30 centimeters wide, also golden yellow in color.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Donaldson, J.S. (2010). "Encephalartos tegulaneus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T41911A10591971. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41911A10591971.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Encephalartos tegulaneus in Global Plants on JSTOR". plants.jstor.org. Retrieved 2024-01-03.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.