ENCEPHALARTOS INOPINUS UNBELIEABLY DIFFICULT CYCAD TO FIND – THIN FALCATE LEAFLETS

SUN CYCAD IN MOST AREAS – OFTEN BLUE LEAVES

Encephalartos inopinus is endemic to the Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The climate is hot and dry. E. inopinus grows primarily in precipitous rock (rocky soil, rocky outcroppings, cliffs, etc.) which often have a high dolomite content. The habitat consists of thick dry brush and drought tolerant species. This is a small to medium sized species. Leaves can grow between a meter to a meter and a half. Stems can reach a height of over four meters over the centuries. This species will make basal suckers, but does so sparingly. This plant has beautiful falcate (sickle shaped) leaflets, which can vary in color. They can be green, blue/green or a powdery blue. E. inopinus is unarmed and is not sharp. This species is a moderate to slow grower. It is difficult to establish from offsets, unlike many South African Encephalartos. It is uncommon to see this species in person, even amongst enthusiasts of cycads, and is quite difficult to get. Both the male and female cones are whitish green with a bluish hew.
In coastal and inland areas, this species wants to be in sun. For desert areas, partial sun or filtered light is ideal. This species wants to be in a very porous mix/soil. If they are too wet, they will be very likely to rot. This is a gorgeous plant and should be placed where it can be seen. I would put them toward the front of a planting for maximum “viewing pleasure”. Also, it is near impossible to find for sale. We just got in a few seedlings in tree pots. They have one leaf. These are on Special and I can’t say when we’ll have them available again. They can be mail ordered within the U.S. Of note, leaflets at this size are almost always green but over time and in sun, many become blue plants.

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