MANY COLORS, MALES AND FEMALES
PHOTOS FROM NURSERY & GARDEN SPECIMENS
Most of the photos here were taken from Encephalartos plants at the nursery. All photos here show Encephalartos, a type of cycad native to Africa. Both males and females cones are shown. As most of you know, cycads are dioecious plants with both male and female reproductive parts. In cycads they are called “cones”. Female cones look somewhat like a pineapple. Male cones tend to look like a corn cob where the kernels have been eaten. Pollen must make its way from the male cone to the receptive female. This is usually accomplished by insects in the wild. Domestically here in the U.S. it must be transferred manually.
When successful and the timing is right, viable seeds result. Seeds are often quite a bright color, often red (see last photo). Cones come in a variety of colors including green, tan, brown, yellow and even red. Tan and brown are the most common. E. ferox is striking because of it’s red or orange cones.
All cones are very attractive. They last for about six months on the plant and then brown out and fall off the plant with age. When pollinated, as they grow, one can see the colorful and often red seeds developing inside the cone (see photos below). One must remember to wear gloves and a mask when handling cycad pollen.
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