Encephalartos cerinus
Stemless, with an underground stem that may occasionally emerge slightly.
Encephalartos cerinus, commonly known as the Waxen Cycad, is an African cycad species distinguished by its stemless growth habit and distinct waxy leaves. These leaves are typically bluish-silver and emit a noticeable odor when handled. The plant is dioecious, producing prominent male and female cones that change color as they mature, and bears oblong seeds with a sarcotesta.
Key Facts
- ›Stemless growth with an underground stem, occasionally emerging slightly above ground.
- ›Leaves are flat, opaque, 80–120 cm long, with a bluish or silvery green hue.
- ›Leaflets are oppositely arranged, 15–18 cm long, with smooth margins and small teeth.
- ›Dioecious species with distinct male and female cones.
- ›Male cones are spindle-shaped (55–60 cm long); female cones are ovoid (30–35 cm long).
- ›Seeds are oblong with an orange or yellow sarcotesta.
Waxen Cycad
Africa
- Underground Stem, Approximately 30 cm Long and 25 cm Wide.
- Occasionally, A Small Part of the Stem May Emerge Above Ground.
- Numbering from eight to ten leaves per plant.
- Leaves are flat and opaque.
- Length: 80–120 cm.
- Color: Bluish or silvery green hue.
- Leaflets are 15–18 cm long.
- Leaf margins are smooth with small teeth.
- Thick, waxy coating on leaves that releases a distinct odor when rubbed.
- Male cones: Spindle-shaped, 55–60 cm long, 9–10 cm wide.
- Female cones: Ovoid, 30–35 cm long, 15–18 cm in diameter.
- Each plant produces only one cone at a time.
- Cone color changes from bluish green to yellow as it matures.
Oblong shape., Length: 25–30 mm., Covered with an orange or yellow sarcotesta.
About Encephalartos cerinus
Encephalartos cerinus: The Waxen Cycad
Encephalartos cerinus, commonly known as the Waxen Cycad, is a species of cycad native to Africa. It is distinguished by its unique growth habit and distinctive foliage.
Botanical Description
The Waxen Cycad is characterized by its stemless nature, typically growing from an underground stem that measures around 30 cm in length and 25 cm in width. Occasionally, a small portion of this stem may emerge above the ground surface. The plant produces a crown of eight to ten leaves, which are flat and opaque. These leaves can range from 80 to 120 cm in length and exhibit a striking bluish or silvery green hue. The leaflets themselves are 15 to 18 cm long and are arranged oppositely along the rachis at an angle of 150 to 180 degrees. A notable feature of the leaves is their thick, waxy coating, which releases a distinct odor when rubbed.
Reproduction
Encephalartos cerinus is a dioecious species, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The reproductive structures, known as cones, are prominent. Male cones are spindle-shaped, measuring 55 to 60 cm in length and 9 to 10 cm in width. Female cones are ovoid, ranging from 30 to 35 cm in length and 15 to 18 cm in diameter. Each plant typically produces only one cone at a time, and these cones undergo a color transformation from bluish green to yellow as they mature. The seeds produced are oblong, about 25 to 30 mm long, and are enclosed in an orange or yellow sarcotesta.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main characteristics of Encephalartos cerinus leaves?
The leaves of Encephalartos cerinus are flat and opaque, measuring between 80–120 cm in length. They typically display a bluish or silvery green color and are covered in a thick, waxy coating that releases a distinct odor when rubbed. The margins of the leaves are smooth with small teeth.
How do the male and female cones of Encephalartos cerinus differ?
Encephalartos cerinus is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. The male cones are spindle-shaped and measure 55–60 cm long by 9–10 cm wide. The female cones are ovoid, larger in diameter, measuring 30–35 cm long and 15–18 cm in diameter.
What is the growth habit of the Waxen Cycad?
The Waxen Cycad, Encephalartos cerinus, is characterized by its stemless growth. It typically grows from an underground stem that is about 30 cm long and 25 cm wide, with only a small portion of the stem occasionally emerging above the ground.
What do the seeds of Encephalartos cerinus look like?
The seeds of Encephalartos cerinus are oblong in shape, measuring approximately 25–30 mm in length. They are notable for being covered with a sarcotesta, which is either orange or yellow in color.
Does Encephalartos cerinus have a noticeable scent?
Yes, the leaves of Encephalartos cerinus have a thick, waxy coating that releases a distinct odor when rubbed. This characteristic contributes to its common name, the Waxen Cycad.
Related Cycad species
Encephalartos horridus
Encephalartos horridus, commonly known as the Eastern Cape blue cycad, is a distinctive, low-growing cycad native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is recognized for its striking blue-gray, spiny leaves and typically develops a subterranean stem. This species thrives in arid shrublands and rocky ridges, exhibiting a slow growth rate and requiring specific conditions for successful cultivation.
Zamia inermis
Zamia inermis is a critically endangered cycad species native to Actopan, Veracruz, Mexico. It is characterized by its shrub-like growth, with a trunk that can be branched and upright leaves composed of numerous linear-lanceolate leaflets. This species is dioecious and faces significant threats from habitat loss, wildfires, and over-harvesting.
Encephalartos dolomiticus
Encephalartos dolomiticus, commonly known as the Wolkberg cycad, is a critically endangered cycad species native to the Wolkberg region of South Africa. This tree-like cycad typically grows up to 2 meters tall and is characterized by its distinctive bluish leaves forming a crown, with lance-shaped leaflets arranged oppositely along the rachis. It is a dioecious species, producing separate male and female cones.