ENCEPHALARTOS HILDEBRANDTII

This Central African cycad is of medium size and native to Kenya, Tanzania and possibly Mozambique. In habitat, it grows at anywhere from sea level to 2000 feet elevation. When I think of this species I remember two things: New leaves emerge vertically in a V-shaped crown. And, that the leaflets have multiple thin points on the end, sort of resembling a pitch fork. New emergent leafs are generally green but can sometime have a copper color. Leaves are green and about six to eight feet long. The trunk is stout and up to eight feet height. Leaves are a glossy green color. Growth is vigorous and it’s been said that it can cone in less than a decade. Trunks can get up to almost twenty feet and in my experience are about 18+ inches thick when well grown. Even along the coast, part day sun is probably best to avoid limy color to the leaves. Cold tolerance is 23 to 25 degrees F.

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