Encephalartos princeps

Encephalartos princeps, the Kei cycad, grows several stems, the tallest of 5 m usually only being the longest, as the big stems often recline (SA Tree List No 12). Some bare stem part is visible already below the lowest leaves of the plant in picture. Old leaf discolouring is visible here.

The species distribution is the catchment area of the Great Kei River in the Eastern Cape where the plants are found in karoid scrub conditions on rocky outcrops and dolerite cliffs.

The species is considered vulnerable in its habitat early in the twenty first century. Apart from plant collection and habitat loss extensive invasion of the distribution area by Lantana camara has brought about control measures thought to add risk to the cycad’s future population numbers (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Hugo, 2014; www.plantzafrica.com; http://www.iucnredlist.org).