Encephalartos ferox
Family: Zamiaceae
Common names: Maputaland cycad, Zululand cycad, Maputalandbroodboom,
Encephalartos ferox is a striking plant occurring in the coastal bush from northern KwaZulu Natal extending from Sodwana Bay to Kosi Bay and then further north along the Mozambique coastline to Vilanculos. It was first described in 1851 by Bertolini in Mozambique.
The name Encephalartos is derived from the Greek en meaning within; kephali meaning 'head' and artos meaning 'bread'. Ferox comes from Latin for 'fierce' or 'ferocious' in reference to the rigid, spiny leaflets.
Cycads are often referred to as "living fossils" because they appear to have changed little since the Carboniferous period 50-60 million years ago. Cycads are often confused with both palms and tree ferns because of a superficial resemblance - however they are actually totally unrelated. In fact, the word 'cycad is even derived from the Greek word cyckos meaning 'palm-like'.
Cycads belong to the group of plants called Gymnosperms (meaning 'naked seeds'). The reproductive organs are produced in cones (and not in flowers as in higher plants). The seeds are not enclosed in an ovary and no stigma or style is present..
Ecology
The fleshy seeds are relished by many animals (baboons, vervet monkeys, dassies, fruit-eating bats) and birds (a particular favourite of the Trumpeter and Crowned Hornbills). They are attracted by the brightly coloured fleshy covering of the seed and are important agents of seed dispersal, spitting out the poisonous kernels once they have eaten the fleshy covering.
Uses
The Afrikaans name for cycads, broodboom, means 'bread tree' and the stems of these plants have been used in the past as a source of food. The starchy pith is removed, tied up in an animal skins, fermented and then ground into a meal.
The Encephalartos ferox is popular in gardens and in the horticultural trade. It grows best in partial shade and require plenty of water. It is not tolerant of very severe frost.
This species may be propagated from seeds or by the removal of offsets or suckers.
Cycads are popular as collectors items and a number of species are highly threatened in their natural habitat due to overcollection.
