Encephalartos chimanimaniensis

The Chimanimani cycad (Encephalartos chimanimaniensis) is a species of cycad that is endemic to the Chimanimani Mountains of eastern Zimbabwe.[1] It is a threatened species which has been locally extirpated by cycad collectors.[1]

Chimanimani cycad
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnosperms
Division: Cycadophyta
Class: Cycadopsida
Order: Cycadales
Family: Zamiaceae
Genus: Encephalartos
Species:
E. chimanimaniensis
Binomial name
Encephalartos chimanimaniensis
R.A. Dyer & I. Verd.

Description

These plants have an erect stem, without branches, but often with secondary stems that develop from basal suckers, up to 1.8 meters high and with 45 cm of diameter.

The leaves, pinnate, 100–150 cm long, are composed of lanceolate leaflets, with margins endowed with small spines, 12–18 cm long and arranged on the rachis at 45-80°.

It is a dioecious species, with 1-3 ovoid male cones, sessile, green in color, 50–70 cm long and 8–10 cm in diameter, with large, rhombic-shaped microsporophylls. The female cones, solitary, have a yellow-green color, are 35–40 cm long and 20–23 cm broad, with macrosporophylls with a warty surface.

The seeds have an oblong shape, are 20–30 mm long, 15–20 cm wide and are covered with a red sarcotesta.[2]

Status

According to an assessment in 2003, between 500 and 1,000 plants remained in the wild.[1] Capela (2006) however provided an estimate of 1,200 mature plants at Makurupini and an additional 300 at Morambo, besides smaller isolated colonies.

Habitat

It is found in mountain grassland in areas of high rainfall (over 1,800 mm per annum), and at an altitude of about 1,000 metres above sea level. It is associated with schist and quartzite sediments in granitic mountains.[1]

References
  1. Bösenberg, J.D. (2010). "Encephalartos chimanimaniensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T41902A10586060. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41902A10586060.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. "Encephalartos chimanimaniensis". PlantNET Home Page - National Herbarium of New South Wales. Retrieved 2019-09-17.


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