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Synonyms: | |
Common names: | Runde cycad (English) |
Frequency: | Rare |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Cycad with reclining or sometimes prostrate stems up to 2.5 m long and 35-45 cm wide, branching from the base. Leaves mostly oblong in outline, c. 150-200 cm long and 20-30 cm wide, rounded at the apex and gradually narrowing towards the base. Leaflets in c. 50 pairs, inserted 1-1.5 cm apart, gradually reduced to prickles at the base. Largest leaflets in the middle, ovate-lanceolate, 10-15 cm long and 2-2.3 cm wide, mostly straight to slightly curved near the top of the leaf, with 1-3 fine teeth on upper or both margins (rarely up to 7), apex sharply pointed. Male cones 1-4 per season, narrowly ovate to subcylindric, up to c. 50 cm tall and 7.5-10 cm wide, on a peduncle of 5-12 cm long. Scales numerous and closely set, narrowly oblong-cuneate, up to 4.5 cm long. Female cone green, c. 45 cm long and 20 cm wide on a yellowish obconic peduncle c. 8 cm long. Seeds red, somewhat angled, 3.5-3.75 cm long, with fleshy covering. |
Notes: | Occurring in the area of West Nicholson, where it was said to be abundant and producing cones in 1968. Only few mature specimens are now left. There are also smaller populations recorded in the Bubiana Conservancy and North of the Runde River. It is highly threatened by collectors. |
Derivation of specific name: | concinnus: well adjusted (L), referring to the neat and elegant appearance of the male cones. |
Habitat: | A species of dry woodland on granite kopjes. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Zimbabwe only |
Zimbabwe distribution: | S |
Growth form(s): | Tree, shrub over 2 m. |
Endemic status: | Endemic |
Red data list status: | Endangered |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Monday 11 December 2006 |
Literature: |
Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Page 84. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 231. Dyer, R.A. & Verdoorn, I.C. (1969). Encephalartos manikensis and its near allies Kirkia 7(1) Pages 152 - 154. (Includes a picture). Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 170. Mapaura, A. (2002). Endemic Plant Species of Zimbabwe. Kirkia 18(1) Page 125. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 12. |
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