E. princeps
| Encephalartos princeps, also known as the Kei cycad (Eng.); keibroodboom (Afr.); umguza, umphanga (Xhosa), is a lovely blue-leaved cycad that is restricted to the catchment area of the Great Kei River (Eastern Cape). The plants grow in riverine scrub between rocks and on doleritic cliffs. The annual rainfall in its distribution area ranges from 420-520 mm, with hot summers and cool winters. It is a woody plant with about 10-15 aerial, erect stems that form a cluster, though the stems may sometimes recline or lie flat on the ground. The stems may develop to a height of up to 5 m and a diameter of 300-400 mm. The leaves are 120-200 mm long, straight but curving | ||
Kei Cycad
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| full sun | blue | very low watering | slow growth | frost-hardy | uncommon |