Suurberg cycad
Encephalartos longifolius

Family: Zamiaceae

What it is like

A medium sized cycad. It has a trunk 4.5 m tall and 45 cm across. It grows in clumps of up to 10 stems. There are suckers near the base. They young leaves are light green and hairy. The mature leaves form an umbrella shaped crown. They are 1-2 m long by 30-40 cm wide and dark green. The leaf stalk is 30-35 cm long. The leaflets are oval and crowded and overlapping near the tip. The lower leaves are small. The cones are different. They are olive green with one on each stem. The male cones are 40-60 cm long by 15-20 cm wide. The fruit stalks are 3-5 cm long. The female cones are 50-60 cm long by 25-30 cm wide and without fruit stalks. The seeds are 4-5 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. They are oblong, angular and red.

There are 52 Encephalartos species.

Where it is found

It grows on acid soils. The climate is hot in summer and cool to cold in winter. It suits temperate and cool subtropical places. It can tolerate light frosts only. It needs full sun.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, South Africa (country/location of origin), Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The starch from the pith of the stem is used to make a flour for bread after processing. The preparation included burying it for 2 months prior to baking. During this time it fermented. The pulp around the seeds is reported as being edible. CAUTION: The kernels are very poisonous.

Edible parts

Stem - starch

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or suckers. The suckers transplant easily.

Its other names

Local names

Suurbergbroodboom

Synonyms

Zamia longifolius Jacq.;