Reviewed public profile
Eastern Cape blue cycad
Encephalartos horridus
Mature plants have big stems of between 0.5–1 m in length and 20–30 cm in diameter, with the majority of the stem growing below ground. Leaves are up to 1 m long and often sharply recurved towards the tip, looking stiff and spiny. Younger leaves are a silvery-blue colour but turn green with age. Cones are usually brownish- or blackish-red and single with a dense layer of fine hair. Both male and female cones are produced. The female cone is egg-shaped and up to 40 cm long and 20 cm in diameter while the male cone is largely cylindrical narrowing towards the ends up to 40 cm long and 12 cm in diameter. Seeds are roughly triangular with three flattened surfaces.
Open in BJURNY appGrowing profile
At a glance
- Plant type
- other
- Size
- large 30–100cm
- Humidity
- 35%–50%
Native context
Where it belongs
- Countries
- South Africa
- Ecosystems
- Scrub / Steppe
- Elevation
- Lowland (0–500 m)
- Flowering
- Winter
About this plant
Mature plants have big stems of between 0.5–1 m in length and 20–30 cm in diameter, with the majority of the stem growing below ground. Leaves are up to 1 m long and often sharply recurved towards the tip, looking stiff and spiny. Younger leaves are a silvery-blue colour but turn green with age. Cones are usually brownish- or blackish-red and single with a dense layer of fine hair. Both male and female cones are produced. The female cone is egg-shaped and up to 40 cm long and 20 cm in diameter while the male cone is largely cylindrical narrowing towards the ends up to 40 cm long and 12 cm in diameter. Seeds are roughly triangular with three flattened surfaces.
Stable BJURNY record: tx_42d79049304242ae8e05