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| Division: Cycadophyta |
| Class: Cycadopsida |
| Order: Cycadales |
| Family: Zamiaceae |
| Genus: Encephalartos |
| Species: E. concinnus |
Conservation Status: |
E. concinnus
Runde CycadE. concinnus is endemic to Zimbabwe and is an extremely hard-to-find cycad, as it does not occur in large numbers in any of its localities, but rather in small, isolated colonies. Described in 1969 by South African botanists R. Allen Dyer and Inez Verdoon, its name means well adjusted or elegant in Latin, due to the neat arrangement of the male cone scales.
This species grows in steep, rocky, misty valleys and woodlands. It is a medium- to large-sized cycad, and grows up to 4 metres in trunk height, often producing multiple trunks and multiple branches. Its straight leaves are dark green in color, with a distinct blue accent for those plants growing in the shade.
There are three known sub-populations, though one may have been extirpated. The plant is threatened by over-collection.
Cultivation:
As a garden subject, Encephalartos concinnus is medium-to-large-sized cycad that despite the harsh environment it in which it lives does seem to like regular water and a little fertiliser. This cycad is easy to grow but hard-to-find, as it does not occur in large numbers in any of its localities, but rather in small, isolated colonies. Historically, the lack of access to this plant and its seeds have made it a very rare plant in cultivation. It tends to sucker well and is very adaptable in cultivation, provided it has a well-drained soil, frost-free conditions and regular watering during the dry months.
It is an adaptable plant well suited to subtropical climates. It can be grown in full sun without its leaves burning. When young they can be grown as a container plant and eventually transplanted into the garden.
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| full sun | dark green | medium watering | average growth | frost-sensitive | rare |
As a garden subject, Encephalartos concinnus is medium-to-large-sized cycad that despite the harsh environment it in which it lives does seem to like regular water and a little fertiliser. This cycad is easy to grow but hard-to-find, as it does not occur in large numbers in any of its localities, but rather in small, isolated colonies. Historically, the lack of access to this plant and its seeds have made it a very rare plant in cultivation. It tends to sucker well and is very adaptable in cultivation, provided it has a well-drained soil, frost-free conditions and regular watering during the dry months.
It is an adaptable plant well suited to subtropical climates. It can be grown in full sun without its leaves burning. When young they can be grown as a container plant and eventually transplanted into the garden.
Available E. concinnus at Africa Cycads: