Encephalartos ituriensis
Encephalartos ituriensis (common name "Ituri forest cycad") is a palm-like cycad of the family Zamiaceae. It is native to the grassland on two large granite monadnocks of the Ituri forest area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its IUCN conservation status is "Near Threatened."[1]
| Encephalartos ituriensis | |
|---|---|
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| Female cone of Encephalartos ituriensis showing red seeds and dripping "nectar." | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Cycadophyta |
| Class: | Cycadopsida |
| Order: | Cycadales |
| Family: | Zamiaceae |
| Genus: | Encephalartos |
| Species: | E. ituriensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Encephalartos ituriensis P. Bamps & Lisowski | |
Description
This cycad grows to 6 metres tall with a trunk diameter of 50 cm. It has glossy dark green leaves. The leaflets are curved and tapering, with a spine at the top and several teeth along the margin.[2]
Like other cycads, E. ituriensis is dioecious, with both male and female trees. Male trees have 1–4 pollen cones, narrowly ovoid. Female trees have 1 or 2 seed cones, which are ovoid and 18–20 cm long. The seeds have a red sarcotesta.[2]
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References
- "Encephalartos ituriensis". IUCN Red List. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
- "The World List of Cycads: Encephalartos ituriensis". Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
External links
- Photographs of E. ituriensis, National Tropical Botanical Garden website
- Photographs of cycad seeds, including seed from E. ituriensis
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