Chimanimani cycad

Description

The Chimanimani cycad (Encephalartos chimanimaniensis) is a species of cycad that is endemic to the Chimanimani Mountains of eastern Zimbabwe. It is a threatened species which has been locally extirpated by cycad collectors. These plants have an erect stem, without branches, but often with secondary stems that develop from basal suckers, up to 1.8 meters high and with 45 cm of diameter. The leaves, pinnate, 100–150 cm long, are composed of lanceolate leaflets, with margins endowed with small spines, 12–18 cm long and arranged on the rachis at 45-80°. It is a dioecious species, with 1-3 ovoid male cones, sessile, green in color, 50–70 cm long and 8–10 cm in diameter, with large, rhombic-shaped microsporophylls. The female cones, solitary, have a yellow-green color, are 35–40 cm long and 20–23 cm broad, with macrosporophylls with a warty surface. The seeds have an oblong shape, are 20–30 mm long, 15–20 cm wide and are covered with a red sarcotesta.It is found in mountain grassland in areas of high rainfall (over 1,800 mm per annum), and at an altitude of about 1,000 metres above sea level. It is associated with schist and quartzite sediments in granitic mountains.