Botanical Name: Encephalartos altensteinii
Common Name: Eastern Cape cycad
Type of Plant: cycad: perennial
Character
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape A large, upright, normally single-trunk cycad with an erect or
sometimes reclining trunk; one of the most common cycads in cultivation
Height to 15 ft.
Spread to 8 ft.
Growth Rate Moderate
Environment:
Exposure outdoors: full sun to partial shade
Soil tolerates most any well-drained soil
Hardiness some frost; Zones 18-24
Morphology:
Leaves pinnately compound fronds to 10 ft. long and 15" across;
leaflets to 10" long, mostly spineless
Flowers large cones (males 10" x 3" females 8" x 4") reddish brown at
the top of the crown of mature specimens
Fruit 2" red drupes, shiny
Propagation:
seed, division of pups from trunk
Usage:
imposing tropical specimen used in large scale plantings, in
lawns or in shaded beds; very adaptable to sun or shade, rocky or rich soils and
tolerant of some frost; probably too large for all but the largest containers
Landscape Care:
Watering takes moderate watering; do not overwater in heavy soils
Fertilizing slow-release fertilizer every few years
Pruningremove unsightly fronds as they age; remove cones after bloom
Pests/Diseases relatively pest free; may get mealybug and scale; can be attacked by snails and slugs
Special Conditions/Other
Origin: Eastern Cape region of South Africa
Family: Cycadaceae
Notes:
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