Encephalartos lehmannii (Karoo Cycad)


Botanical Information

FamilyZamiaceae
GenusEncephalartos
Specieslehmannii
CategoryPerennials, Tropicals
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginNative to the Eastern Cape region of South Africa.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone8b-11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH4 - H1c
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-3.8 - 4.5
Temperature (°F)25- 40
Height2 m

Description and Growing Information

PropagationFrom seed and by suckers.
CultivationIt requires neutral to alkaline soil with very good drainage. If grown in shade and with too much moisture, the leaves will lose their metallic blue colour and will turn green, so plant it in a sunny position.
Notable SpecimensHarry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
HabitatIt grows in the catchments of several rivers. Its habitat is semi-arid with an annual rainfall of around 250 - 350 mm.
Bark/Stem DescriptionAn erect trunk up to 2 m tall and 40 cm across, forms clumps of up to 10 stems, with suckers produced from the base. 
Leaf DescriptionBlue leaves which are 1-1.5 m long. The whorls of leaves become entangled as the plant becomes bushy and the crowns appear to lose individual identity.
Flower DescriptionSeeds ovoid or oblong, 3,0-4,5 cm long, 2,5-3,0 cm wide, red colour. 
Fruit DescriptionMale and female plants produce a single cone per stem. Male cones are sub-cylindrical, 25-35 cm long, 8-10 cm in diameter, carried on a short stem, and they are bluish green, with a covering of blackish red, fine hairs. Female cones are barrel-shaped; they are similar in colour to male cones.

Photographs