|
Encephalartos
''Encephalartos'' is a genus of cycad native to Africa. Several species of ''Encephalartos'' are commonly referred to as bread trees, bread palms or kaffir bread, since a bread-like starchy food can be prepared from the centre of the stem. The genus name is derived from the Greek language, Greek words ''en'' (within), ''kephalē'' (head), and ''artos'' (bread), referring to the use of the pith to make food. They are, in evolutionary terms, some of the most primitive living gymnosperms. All the species are endangered, some critically, due to their exploitation by collectors and muti, traditional medicine gatherers. The whole genus is listed under CITES Appendix I which prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except for certain non-commercial motives, such as scientific research. Description Several of the species possess stout trunks. In ''Encephalartos cycadifolius, E. cycadifolius'', the main trunks are up to high, and several of them may be united at a base ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Encephalartos Friderici-guilielmi
''Encephalartos friderici-guilielmi'' is a species of cycad in the family ''Zamiaceae''. It is sometimes referred to by the common name White-haired Cycad. It is native to Eastern Cape province and KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa at elevations of 700 up to 1400 meters. Description The cycad has tree-shaped trunks that grow up to 4 meters tall and 35 to 60 centimeters wide. Its open crown is woolly brown. The leaves, which are 1 to 1.5 meters long and 18 to 20 centimeters wide, spread horizontally from the trunk. They are stiff, straight, or slightly curved, with young leaves being silvery and becoming yellowish with age. The petiole, which is 17 to 30 centimeters long, is bare and circular in cross-section. The leaflets are tightly arranged, with the upper ones overlapping and the middle ones measuring 10 to 17 centimeters long and 7 to 8 millimeters wide. At the base of the leaflets, 7 to 9 prominent veins are visible, and the leaf margin is not serrated, but the leaf tip ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
