Encephalartos kisambo
Steep, forested hills and rocky slopes, including evergreen mist forest and cloud forest.·Arborescent·Endangered
Encephalartos kisambo, commonly known as the Voi cycad, is a species of cycad native to Kenya and Tanzania. This arborescent plant is characterized by its stout, barrel-shaped trunk and dark green pinnate leaves. It thrives in steep, forested hills and rocky slopes, often in cloud forest habitats.
Key Facts
- ›Native to Kenya and Tanzania.
- ›Known as the Voi cycad.
- ›Grows in misty forest and cloud forest habitats.
- ›Threatened by habitat loss and over-collection.
- ›Has a stout, barrel-shaped trunk.
- ›Produces creamy yellow male cones and orange to tan female cones.
Voi Cycad
Kenya, Tanzania
Stout, Barrel-Shaped Trunk, 1.2–2 m Tall, 45–52 cm In Diameter, Erect Or Sometimes Decumbent
- Dark green
- Pinnate leaves
- 240–360 cm long
- Short petiole
- Young leaves covered in tan hairs, becoming smooth with age
- Median leaflets leathery, falcate to oblanceolate
- Leaflets slightly overlapping along the rachis
- Leaflets armed with several spines near the base of the distal margin
- Male cones: Cylindrical, creamy yellow at maturity.
- Female cones: 1–5 per plant, ovoid to cylindrical, mature from pale yellow to orange or tan.
- Ovoid to ellipsoid
- Covered with an orange to orange-red fleshy outer layer
Habitat Loss, Over-Collection For Horticultural Trade, Illegal Collecting
About Encephalartos kisambo
Encephalartos kisambo: The Voi Cycad
Encephalartos kisambo, commonly referred to as the Voi cycad, is a distinctive species of cycad native to the regions of Kenya and Tanzania. This arborescent plant is characterized by its robust, barrel-shaped trunk, which can reach heights of 1.2 to 2 meters and diameters of up to 52 cm. Its crown is adorned with striking dark green pinnate leaves, often extending 2.4 to 3.6 meters in length, featuring leathery leaflets with spiny margins.
Distribution and Habitat
The natural distribution of Encephalartos kisambo is primarily confined to steep, forested hills and rocky slopes within Kenya and Tanzania. It is frequently found in the humid environments of evergreen mist forests and cloud forests, though some populations also inhabit drier rocky slopes and cliffsides. Historically, it was known from a small area in the Maungu Hills of Kenya, with a significant southern population identified on Mount Kanga in Tanzania's Nguru Mountains.
Taxonomy and Description
First described in 1989, Encephalartos kisambo has been subject to taxonomic review. A population previously identified as Encephalartos kanga on Mount Kanga was later incorporated into E. kisambo, with its distinguishing features considered to fall within the natural variation of the species. The plant is dioecious, meaning individuals are either male or female. Male plants produce creamy yellow, cylindrical cones, while female plants bear one to five ovoid to cylindrical cones that mature to shades of orange or tan. The seeds are enclosed in a fleshy, orange to orange-red outer layer.
Conservation Status and Threats
Encephalartos kisambo is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The species faces significant threats from habitat loss, largely driven by agricultural expansion and charcoal production. Furthermore, over-collection for the horticultural trade poses a severe risk, with illegal collecting being a principal immediate threat to vulnerable populations, particularly in remote areas where conservation efforts are challenging.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name for the Voi cycad?
The scientific name for the Voi cycad is Encephalartos kisambo. It was formally described in 1989 by Richard Faden and H.J. Beentje.
Where is Encephalartos kisambo found naturally?
Encephalartos kisambo is native to Kenya and Tanzania. Populations are found in the Maungu Hills of Kenya and on Mount Kanga in the Nguru Mountains of Tanzania.
What kind of habitat does Encephalartos kisambo prefer?
This cycad species prefers steep, forested hills and rocky slopes. It is often found in evergreen mist forest and cloud forest environments, with some individuals on drier rocky slopes and cliffsides.
What are the main threats to Encephalartos kisambo?
The primary threats to Encephalartos kisambo are habitat loss due to agriculture and charcoal production, and over-collection for the horticultural trade. Illegal collecting is a significant concern, especially for populations in remote areas.
What does the trunk and leaves of Encephalartos kisambo look like?
Encephalartos kisambo has a stout, barrel-shaped trunk that can be 1.2–2 meters tall and 45–52 cm in diameter. The crown has dark green pinnate leaves that are 240–360 cm long, with median leaflets that are leathery and armed with spines near the base.
What color are the cones of Encephalartos kisambo?
Male plants bear cylindrical cones that are creamy yellow when mature. Female plants produce ovoid to cylindrical cones that mature from pale yellow to orange or tan.
Related Cycad species
Cycas micronesica
Cycas micronesica is a medium-sized cycad species native to islands in Micronesia and the Mariana Islands. It is characterized by its straight, palm-like trunk and long, pinnate leaves. Historically a food source, its seeds contain a neurotoxin linked to a neurological disease, and the species is currently threatened by invasive pests.
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.
Cycas beddomei
Cycas beddomei is a species of cycad native to a small region in the Andhra Pradesh state of India, specifically the Tirumala Hills. It is characterized by erect, solitary stems topped with a crown of stiff, pinnate leaves and is found in scrubland and brush-covered hills. A unique feature is the fleshy layer within its seeds, which is believed to provide a water source, crucial for its survival in arid conditions.