OTHER CYCAD FEATURES
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ENCEPHALARTOS
LAURENTIANUS
Locality: This species is endemic
to the Kasongo-Linda districts of eastern Democratic
Republic of Congo. The climate is quite hot and
humid. Plants can be found within dense and lush
forests, along sandstone cliffs, slopes and outcroppings
and within savanna mosaic (transitional landscape
between wet forest and savanna).
Plant Size: This
is one of the largest cycads on the planet, and has
longer leaves than any other species of known cycad.
Leaves can grow in excess of seven meters and their fat
stems can grow a staggering height of over fifteen
meters (over hundreds of years)! Stems can be
solitary, but on larger specimens it is more common to
see them with basal suckers and large offshoots.
Other Characteristics:
This species was named after Emile Laurent (a
renown tropical agriculturalist) who first collected the
species. There are no cycads, that I can think of,
that become larger or more impressive than this rapid
growing species. Before this plant ever makes a
foot of trunk, leaves will streak into the air, dwarfing
much around them. In relatively short juvenile
plants can become a focal point in the landscape for
this vigorous species. The leaflets are heavily
armed, but are pliable to the touch and are not overly
pokey. The petioles are entirely different and
possess very sharp, long spines and prickles. The
growth habit of this plant is fairly erect, but can
usurp more space as stems become large and more mature.
Old specimens can easily be mistaken for palms as they
are so large and tropical looking! The female
cones on this species are a ruddy brown color where the
male cones are primarily a yellow color with hints of
brown.
Culture: In all
areas, this species requites filtered light or shade.
In the tropics or exceptionally humid areas, you can get
away with growing this species in sun. They are
susceptible to burn in drier areas and are not very
frost tolerant (truly a tropical species of
Encephalartos). This species likes a rich
topsoil that drains well, but is tolerant of water and
tropical plantings.
Landscape Usage:
This plant absolutely has to have space. It will
become a centerpiece of any planting and can overwhelm
smaller areas in relatively short order. Also, it
is imperative that you give this plant some protection.
As I mentioned before, this species is not very tolerant
of direct sun or cold. If you have an establish
canopy of tall trees of palms, this species will make a
stunning addition!
Landscape Usage:
Availability: We
often have this impressive species of cycad from Central African
cycad for sale. Anticipate we'll have smaller
plants like 5g and sometimes 15g sizes as well.
Rarely we can offer a boxed specimen.
Pricing:
Encephalartos laurentianus is, for green
cycads, one of the more expensive to purchase.
This is because of rarity of the species and the lack of
availability of seeds. Typical
prices, when available, are shown below.
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by Tenerife Botanical Garden
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