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| Category: Cycad |
| Family: Cycadaceae (Cycads) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: NA |
| Bloomtime: Not Significant |
| Height: 6-10 feet |
| Width: 6-12 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 25-30° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Encephalartos longifolius 'Joubertina Blue' - A medium-sized clumping cycad, ultimately growing to up to 14 feet tall with up to 10 stems but rarely seen at half of these proportions in cultivation. It has to 6 foot long bluish leaves with leaflets arranged in a distinct V shape pattern and leaflets overlapping towards the tip. This species has among the largest and heaviest cones of the South African cycads with with olive-green female cones nearly 2 feet tall by over 1 foot in diameter and weighing nearly 80 lbs. The browinsh males cones are nearly as tall but narrower (6-8 inches in diameter) and are sometimes borne in groups up to 3. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate occasionally to infrequently. Listed as hardy to around 26 ° F, though we have had it exposed and undamaged in temperatures a degree colder. The species is found in a wide range of habitats in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa but the blue form has a more restricted distribution west of Joubertina in the Kouga Mountains This species and the cloesly related Encephalartos lehmannii are the westernmost cycads in South Africa with overlapping distributions and possible naturally occuring hybrids. This species was discovered in 1772, making it one one of the earliest cycads in South Africa to be scientifically described. During a trip to the Eastern Cape, Swedish botanist, Carl Peter Thunberg noted this plant, though he mistakenly thought it was a juvenile form of a plant he named Zamia caffra, now known as Encephalartos caffer. It is widely distributed in the southwestern parts of the Eastern Cape with this blue form coming from the furthest west from near Joubertina in the Kouga Mountains. The name for the genus comes from Greek words 'en' meaning "within", 'kephali' meaning "head" and 'artos' meaning "bread" or "bread in head" which is a reference to the use of the starchy substance in the trunks of some species in times of desperation by native tribes. The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'longi' meaning "long" and 'folius' meaning "leaf" in reference to the relatively long leaves of this species compared to other Encephalartos.
The information about Encephalartos longifolius 'Joubertina Blue' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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