Encephalartos natalensis Seeds

Encephalartos natalensis Seeds is a striking cycad species native to South Africa, prized for its rapid growth and ornamental appeal. Its seeds are a key feature, produced in bright red, fleshy cones that mature from November to Januar.

 

Plant Overview

This evergreen cycad reaches up to 6.5 meters tall with a trunk about 0.4 meters thick, often branching at the base. Leaves grow 1.5-3 meters long, featuring dark green leaflets with occasional marginal teeth, covered in golden wool when new. Male and female plants produce orangy-yellow to red cones separately, with females yielding 415-510 seeds per cone, each 25-35 mm long and 12-18 mm wide.(Encephalartos natalensis Seeds)

Seed Characteristics

Seeds emerge bright red and large, around 25-35 mm by 12-18 mm, attracting animals like birds and monkeys that eat the outer flesh while discarding the toxic kernel. They are available from specialty nurseries, often sold in small packets for cultivation(Encephalartos natalensis Seeds)

Growing from Seeds

Sow fresh seeds in well-draining soil mix, keeping them warm (around 28°C) and moist, half-buried in vermiculite; germination typically takes up to 6 months for Encephalartos species. Thrives in sun or light shade with moderate water and frost protection when young; transplant seedlings at 3 years old. (Encephalartos natalensis Seeds)

Conservation Notes

Endemic to KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, it grows on rocky cliffs and forests at about 1200m elevation. Bark is harvested for traditional medicine, but the plant remains popular in gardens despite variability across forms