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| Category: Cycad |
| Family: Cycadaceae (Cycads) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Synonyms: [E. lebomboensis] |
| Height: 8-12 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
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Encephalartos senticosus (Lebombo Cycad) - A medium-sized to large evergreen cycad with an erect trunk to 8 to 12 feet tall, growing singly or in clumps of up to eight stems, with numerous suckers from the base and occasional offsets on the trunks. It thrives in full sun with low water needs. It is not tolerant of much frost and should only be considered hardy to 30 -32 degrees F. We nearly lost this plant in a cold snap in November when temperatures dipped a couple degrees below freezing and "melted" this cycad's new leaves which had emerged in October. Very closely related to E. natalensis. Its native habitat is open rocky areas of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The name Encephalartos lebomboensis has long been applied to this plant but this species was spilt up in 1996. Most plants in cultivation under the name Encephalartos lebomboensis are actually Encephalartos senticosus. The true Encephalartos lebomboensis grows to the west of the range of Encephalartos senticosus (still within the Lebombo mountain range). It is a smaller plant with narrower leaflets.
The information on this page is based on the research that we have conducted about this plant in the San Marcos Growers library, from what we have found on reliable online sources, as well as from observations made of our crops of this plant growing in the nursery and of plants growing in the nursery's garden and those in other gardens where we may have observed it. We also have incorporated comments received from others and welcome getting feedback from those who may have additional information, particularly if this information includes cultural information that would aid others in growing Encephalartos senticosus. |
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