Kozi Cycad
Encephalartos ferox G.Bertol.
Encephalartos ferox is a cycad species in the family Zamiaceae, known as Kozi Cycad. It has a subterranean trunk up to 35 cm wide and is native to the south-eastern coast of Africa. The species is named for the spine-tipped lobes on its leaves, derived from the Latin word for ferocious. It is cultivated and has been used by local people for its starch content.
Description
Encephalartos ferox (G.Bertol.), part of the Zamiaceae family, is a cycad with a 35 cm wide subterranean trunk. Its name is thought to derive from the Latin word for ferocious, referring to the spine-tipped lobes on its leaves. The species is found in the south-eastern coast of Africa and has been used by local populations for its starch. It is widely cultivated and has been recorded in locations such as Kruger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal, Mozambique, and in botanical gardens including the Jardín Botánico de Bogotá. The species was first described in 1851.
Other common names
Kozi CycadTongaland CycadZululand CycadMaputaland cycadTonga cycad
Distribution
ZA · Kruger National Park · Global · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · KwaZulu-Natal · Mozambique
Synonyms
Encephalartos kosiensis