Cycad
Encephalartos laevifolius Stapf & Burtt Davy
Encephalartos laevifolius is a cycad species in the Zamiaceae family, native to South Africa and Eswatini. It is critically endangered in the wild, though it is widely cultivated. The species was first described in 1926 by Stapf & Burtt Davy.
Description
Encephalartos laevifolius is found in the KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces of South Africa, as well as at Piggs Peak in Eswatini. It is currently listed as critically endangered by the IUCN due to its declining wild populations. Despite its conservation status in the wild, the species is cultivated outside its natural range. It is part of the cycad group, which includes ancient seed plants with a long evolutionary history.
Other common names
Kaapsehoop CycadCycad
Distribution
Africa · Global · Cape Provinces · KwaZulu-Natal · Northern Provinces · Swaziland