Encephalartos middelburgensis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Encephalartos middelburgensis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Cycadophyta |
| Class: | Cycadopsida |
| Order: | Cycadales |
| Family: | Zamiaceae |
| Genus: | Encephalartos |
| Species: | E. middelburgensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Encephalartos middelburgensis Vorster, Robbertse & S. Van der Westh. 1989 | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Encephalartos eugene-maraissii subspecies middelburgensis Lavranos & D.L.Goode | |
Encephalartos middelburgensis is a species of cycad that is native to Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa at elevations of 1,100–1,400 m (3,600–4,600 ft).[3]
It is a cycad with an arborescent habit, with an erect or decumbent stem, up to 10 m (33 ft) tall and 35–45 cm (14–18 in) in diameter, often with secondary stems originating from basal suckers. The leaves, pinnate, arranged in a crown at the apex of the stem, are 1.2–1.5 m (3 ft 11 in – 4 ft 11 in) long, supported by a 30–40 cm (12–16 in) long petiole with a densely tomentose base, and composed of numerous pairs of lanceolate, leathery leaflets, up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long, with entire margin or occasionally with a single spine on the inferior margin and sharp apex.
It is a dioecious species, with male specimens that have from 1 to 8 cylindrical or strictly ovoid cones, erect, 30–55 cm (12–22 in) long and 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in) broad, green in color and covered with a brownish tomentum, and female specimens with 1-6 cylindrical cones, about 35–45 cm (14–18 in) long and 17–20 cm (6.7–7.9 in) wide, the same color as the male cones.
The seeds are coarsely ovoid, 3–3.5 cm (1.2–1.4 in) long, covered with a yellow to brown sarcotesta.[4]
Population
Initially, this species could be found inhabiting multiple locations in the proximity of Middelburg, Bronkhorstspruit, and the Loskop Dam within South Africa's Mpumalanga province. It is believed that the population consisted of several thousand mature individuals. However, in recent years, the population has experienced a substantial and concerning decline. It is estimated there are 184-200 mature individuals in the wild.[1]
The species is typically found within open grassland areas and sheltered valleys.[1]
