Encephalartos ferox leaf rosette base

The inner part of this densely leaved Encephalartos ferox rosette shows the shapes of the holly-like leaflets, green-lobed and broad, quite well. Varying leaflet colours seen here may indicate some stresses experienced during recent growth season(s).

The hard, spiny leaflet tips reduce activities of animal species and humans that may be damaging to the plant a great deal (Hugo, 2014).