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| Category: Cycad |
| Family: Cycadaceae (Cycads) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: NA |
| Bloomtime: Infrequent |
| Height: 10-16 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
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Encephalartos altensteinii (Prickly Cycad, Bread Tree) - This evergreen cycad from moist areas of South Africa is extremely slow growing. The rigid, palm-like fronds are about 6 feet long, with numerous stiff, spiny-toothed leaflets. It does best in the full sun and has low water needs. It will eventually reach 10 to 16 feet tall (very old plant) and is more likely to be 3 to 4 feet tall in the garden after many years. Listed by South African sources as a frost tender species but we have found it tolerant of light frosts and has withstood short duration freezing temperatures of 26° F in our garden. In its native habitat it is found in coastal areas of the Eastern Cape Province through to the southern border of Natal growing in full sun or in the heavy shade under the canopy of the forest.
This information about Encephalartos altensteinii displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate 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 that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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