Encephalartos manikensis

Encephalartos manikensis
Conservation status
	; Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
	CITES Appendix I (CITES)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Cycadophyta
Class:	Cycadopsida
Order:	Cycadales
Family:	Zamiaceae
Genus:	Encephalartos
Species:	E. manikensis
Binomial name
	Encephalartos manikensis; Gilliland 1939

Encephalartos manikensis (Gorongo Cycad, Gorongowe Cycad) is a species of cycad that is native to Mozambique and Zimbabwe.^[2]

Description

This cycad has a tree-like structure, growing up to 1.5 m tall, sometimes with additional stems growing from its base. Its feather-like leaves, forming a crown at the top of the stem, are 1–2 m long, supported by a 5–6 cm long petiole, and consist of around 60 pairs of lance-shaped leaflets. These leaflets may have 1-2 spines on both their upper and lower edges, and they are attached to the stem at a 180° angle, tapering to thorns near the petiole. This species is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. Male plants produce 1-4 erect, cylindrical-ovoid cones that are 25–65 cm long and 15–22 cm wide, light green in color. Female plants bear 1-2 ovoid cones that are 30–45 cm long and 20–25 cm wide. The seeds are roughly ovoid, 3–5 cm long, and have a bright red sarcotesta.^[3]