Encephalartos ferox male cone

The male cones of Encephalartos ferox may number up to ten on one plant. They are long, thin cylinders that can be up to 50 cm in length. This species produces its cones partly in succession, unlike the commonly found simultaneous batches of many other species.

This specimen is yellow, similar to cones of several other species and not the typical bright salmon or orange red colour displayed by the female E. ferox cone elsewhere in this Album. The yellow colour, although less common, is mentioned in the literature for this species. Hard modified leaves make up the outward scale structure of the cones with the facetted shields showing (www.pacsoa.org.au; www.plantzafrica.com).