Encephalartos

Encephalartos is a genus of cycads in the family Zamiaceae, native to sub-Saharan Africa and several nearby islands. The genus comprises about 60 species, adapted to a range of environments from dry savannas to forest margins.

Plants are evergreen and typically have a stout trunk (caudex) in many species, though some are subterranean or unbranched. Leaves are pinnate, often glossy and rigid, with leaflets arranged along a central rachis. The plants are dioecious, with separate male and female individuals; male cones are elongated and pollen-bearing, while female cones produce seeds that are often coated with a fleshy aril.

Most Encephalartos species are native to southern and eastern Africa, with a few in Madagascar. They occupy habitats including rocky hillsides, woodlands, and savannas. They are slow-growing and long-lived and require well-drained soil and protection from frost in cultivation. In cultivation, they are typically propagated by seed; some species are used as ornamentals in appropriate climates.

Conservation: Many species are threatened by habitat loss, wildfires, and illegal collection for the ornamental plant trade. Several species are listed as endangered or critically endangered in regional assessments. Encephalartos is listed in CITES Appendix II, and botanical gardens maintain ex situ populations to support conservation and research efforts.