ENCEPHALARTOS MIDDELBURGENSIS VERY SOUGHT AFTER BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

MEDIUM TO LARGE CYCAD THAT TOLERATES FULL COASTAL SUN

Encephalartos middelburgenis is endemic to the Witbank and Middelburg districts of South Africa. They occur in fragmented populations, and their habitat is rocky soil and outcroppings in grasslands and valleys. The climate is hot and dry. Winter months can be cold and experience periodic freezes. This is a medium sized species. Leaves are approximately a meter and a half to almost two meters. Stems (trunks) can reach an excess of ten meters over the centuries and have the tendency to sucker moderately.

This is a beautiful blue Encephalartos species. In shade, like many of the blue Encephalartos, this species will not appear nearly as blue. Leaves are armed with prickles, but depending on cultivar the degree can vary. Larger, older specimens tend to bear less spines than younger juvenile plants. This is another species from the Transvaal region of South Africa. This is noteworthy are some of the rarest and most beautiful species of Encephalartos hail from this region. E. middelburgensis is a moderate grower, and tends to flush annually. The female cones on this species are a yellow, green with fine brown tomentum, where male cones are much darker in appearance covered in a dark brown tomentum. In coastal and inland areas this plant needs to be in the sun. For desert areas, partial sun or filtered light is adequate. Excessively wet soil will lead to rot problems with this species.

The plant on Special is in a 15 gallon contain and has two caudex – each one 5 inches. It can be shipped within the U.S., weather permitting.