Encephalartos equatorialis
Found on granite hills near Lake Victoria.·Arborescent·Data Deficient
Encephalartos equatorialis is a species of cycad native to two granite hills on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria in Uganda. This tall, arborescent cycad is characterized by its rigid, dark green leaves and large reproductive cones. It is a dioecious species, meaning it has separate male and female plants.
Key Facts
- ›Found exclusively on granite hills near Lake Victoria, Uganda.
- ›Can reach heights of 3.5–4 meters with a trunk diameter of 35–45 cm.
- ›Features dark green, rigid leaves that can grow up to 3–4 meters long.
- ›Possesses distinct male and female cones, with female cones being larger.
- ›Each female cone contains approximately 200 seeds with an orange-red outer layer.
- ›Is a dioecious species, requiring both male and female plants for reproduction.
Uganda
3.5–4 m Tall, 35–45 cm In Diameter
Dark green, Rigid, 3–4 m long, 30–40 cm broad, Petiole up to 13 mm long, Leaflets 20-25 cm long and about 20 mm wide, Leaflets angle at 30° from the rachis
- Male Cones: 30–40 cm Length, 9–10 cm Diameter, Oblong Microsporophylls .
- Female Cones: 35–40 cm Length, 18–20 cm Diameter, Rhomboid Macrosporophylls .
Ellipsoidal, 35–38 mm Long, 23–30 mm In Diameter, Orange-Red Sarcotesta
About Encephalartos equatorialis
Encephalartos equatorialis is a distinct species of cycad that has a very restricted natural distribution. It is known to grow exclusively on two specific granite hills situated on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria in Uganda, at elevations reaching up to 1000 meters above sea level.
Botanical Description
This cycad is characterized by its substantial size, typically reaching a height of 3.5 to 4 meters with a trunk diameter ranging from 35 to 45 centimeters. The leaves are a striking dark green, rigid in texture, and can extend to impressive lengths of 3 to 4 meters, with a breadth of 30 to 40 centimeters. The petiole, or leaf stalk, is relatively short, measuring up to 13 millimeters. The individual leaflets are approximately 20 to 25 centimeters long and about 20 millimeters wide, positioned at a 30-degree angle from the central rachis.
Reproduction
Encephalartos equatorialis is a dioecious species, meaning that individual plants are either male or female. The male cones are sizable, measuring between 30 and 40 centimeters in length with a diameter of 9 to 10 centimeters, and are composed of oblong microsporophylls. The female cones are even larger, ranging from 35 to 40 centimeters in length and 18 to 20 centimeters in diameter, featuring rhomboid macrosporophylls. Each female cone contains a significant number of seeds, approximately 200, which are ellipsoidal in shape, measuring 35 to 38 millimeters long and 23 to 30 millimeters in diameter. A notable feature of these seeds is their orange-red sarcotesta, the fleshy outer layer.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Encephalartos equatorialis found naturally?
Encephalartos equatorialis is naturally found on two granite hills located on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria, within Uganda. It thrives at elevations up to 1000 meters.
What are the physical characteristics of Encephalartos equatorialis?
This cycad species grows to be 3.5–4 meters tall with a trunk diameter of 35–45 cm. Its leaves are dark green, rigid, and can reach lengths of 3–4 meters, featuring leaflets that angle from the main stem.
What do the cones of Encephalartos equatorialis look like?
Male cones measure 30–40 cm in length and 9–10 cm in diameter, with oblong microsporophylls. Female cones are larger, measuring 35–40 cm long and 18–20 cm in diameter, bearing rhomboid macrosporophylls.
How many seeds does a female cone produce?
Each female cone of Encephalartos equatorialis typically holds around 200 seeds. These seeds are ellipsoidal, measuring 35–38 mm in length and 23–30 mm in diameter, and are notable for their orange-red sarcotesta.
Is Encephalartos equatorialis a dioecious species?
Yes, Encephalartos equatorialis is a dioecious species. This means that individual plants are either male or female, with separate male and female cones produced on distinct plants.
Related Cycad species
Encephalartos ngoyanus
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Encephalartos concinnus
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