Distribution of Encephalartos in southeast Africa (Jones 1993); see species descriptions for distributions north of 15° S latitude.
E. arenarius, foliage and immature female cone; plant at Los Angeles County Arboretum in California [C.J. Earle, 2009.12.06].
E. horridus foliage and nearly-mature female cone, also at Los Angeles County Arboretum [C.J. Earle, 2009.12.06].
Encephalartos
No data as of 2026-01-14.
Encephalartos includes 65 species. I have some information on the species linked below, but for all species, see the excellent descriptions provided by The World List of Cycads.
No data as of 2026-01-14.
No data as of 2026-01-14.
E. laurentianus grows to a height (or length, as it is often decumbent) of 15 m and a diameter of 1 m, making it the most massive of all cycads. Moreover, it often grows in clumps.
No data as of 2026-01-14.
No data as of 2026-01-14.
Encephalartos combines the Greek roots for "head" and "bread", referring to the flour obtained from the stems of some species by native peoples.
Lehmann, J. G. 1834. Allgemeine Gartenzeitung 2(11), p. 82p. Available: Biodiversity Heritage Library, accessed 2026.01.14.
Africa Cycads provides good photos, distribution maps and descriptions for all African cycads, including Encephalartos.
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Copyright 2026 The Gymnosperm Database
Edited by Christopher J. Earle
This page accessed on Friday, October 23, 2026
Last Modified 2026-01-14
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