Bread trees, Bread palms, Kaffir bread
Encephalartos spp.
Family: Cycadaceae
What it is like
Encephalartos are among the rarest and most endangered species of all cycads. As a carbon farming solutions suggested as an Industrial starch crop. Genera to investigate include: Cycas, Dioon, Encephalartos, Macrozamia, Microcycas, and Zamia. They make good ornamental landscape plants in borders, Containers, for massing, seashore, and as a specimen. They are drought-tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping.
Encephalartos spp. is an evergreen Perennial growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 3
Where it is found
A tropical plant. Coastal evergreen bushland, lowland forest and dry montane rainforest on red loams and sandy soil, at elevations from sea level to 1,200 metres. Sandy plains and rocky hill tops.
Africa - south, east and central.
Conservation Status: Many critically endangered.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa - south, east and central.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The pith of the trunk, in some species, contains large amount of high quality starch below the crown. This was formerly cut out by native people as food. Encephalartos, like all cycads, are toxic, but the pith, if buried for several years, gets the toxins leached out of it, and then it can safely be cooked into a bread-like food.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 4
Carbon Farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: starch (Crops grown for non-food uses. Industrial crops provide resources in three main categories: materials, chemicals, and energy. Traditional materials include lumber and thatch, paper and cardboard, and textiles). Female cones are consequently destroyed by baboons, for the tasty pith around the seeds. Vervet monkeys, rodents and birds also feed on the seeds. Ornamental - Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Massing, Seashore, Specimen. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping.
Hypothetical Crop: These are perennial plants that could potentially be developed for cultivation. Some, such as cycads (for industrial starch), as simply neglected; others, such as buckwheat and soybeans, are annual crops that could potentially be perennialised by crossing and relatives.
Industrial Crop: Starch: Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Hypothetical Crop: These are perennial plants that could potentially be developed for cultivation. Some, such as cycads (for industrial starch), as simply neglected; others, such as buckwheat and soybeans, are annual crops that could potentially be perennialised by crossing and relatives.
Industrial Crop: Starch: Materials and chemicals include bioplastics, paper, cardboard, solvents, paints, glues etc. Plants are usually pods, starchy fruits, nuts & seeds, starchy trunks.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
How it is grown
Climate: warm temperate to tropical. Humidity: arid to humid. Usually heat-loving succulents that do not like excessive watering or shade. Species have adapted to full sun or shade, and extremes of moisture. Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping. Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater. Full Sun but some species can tolerate some shade. They can produce occasional suckers. Some are dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required. All Encephalartos species are considered endangered though many are not threatened currently. The whole genus is listed under CITES Appendix I / EU Annex A. CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species except for certain non-commercial motives, such as scientific research. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: hypothetical. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).
Propagating it: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets). From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 9-11
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Seed is poisonous if ingested. Consumption of the seeds can lead to liver cancer. All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested. Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling.
Its other names
Local names
Encephalartos species, Bread trees, Bread palms, Kaffir bread
Synonyms
See individual species. There are about 60 or more species of Encephalartos.