woolcotton

Woolcotton is a common name for certain species of plants in the genus *Encephalartos*, which are cycads native to southern Africa. These plants are characterized by their striking appearance, often featuring a stout, woody trunk topped with a crown of large, stiff, feather-like leaves. The "woolcotton" moniker is derived from the dense, woolly or cottony covering found on young leaves, cones, or the trunk itself in some species.

Species commonly referred to as woolcotton include *Encephalartos altensteinii* and *Encephalartos woodii*, among others. These cycads are dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female, and reproduction occurs through cones. The cones can be quite large and are often brightly colored when mature. Woolcotton plants are slow-growing and can live for hundreds of years, making them significant specimens in their native habitats and in horticultural collections. They are often found in rocky outcrops, savanna regions, and coastal scrublands.

Due to habitat loss and slow reproduction rates, some woolcotton species are considered endangered. Conservation efforts are in place to protect wild populations and promote cultivation. The plants are popular in landscaping for their prehistoric aesthetic and drought tolerance.