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| Division: Cycadophyta |
| Class: Cycadopsida |
| Order: Cycadales |
| Family: Zamiaceae |
| Genus: Encephalartos |
| Species: E. relictus |
Conservation Status: |
E. relictus
Parlota CycadEncephalartos relictus was discovered in 1971 by J. J. P. du Preez on the eastern border of Swaziland near Mozambique. There was only one plant. Du Preez relocated the plant to his farm called Muti Muti, on the eastern slopes of the Lebombo Mountains, bounded by the river Parlota, about 5 km from the border of Mozambique. The plant has never again been seen in the wild, despite repeated searches of the area.
E. relictus has a tall stem up to 2.5 m, 40-45 cm in diameter, with secondary drums originating from baseline suckers. The leaves are pinnate and bluish-green in colour. They are 1-2 m long, supported by a stalk about 15 cm long, and composed of numerous pairs of leathery leaflets, arranged on the spine at an angle of about 40°, up to 20-25 cm long.
There are only known male specimens, which have from 1 to 3 cones, about 20-24 cm long and 12-15 cm wide, greenish-yellow colour.
Cultivation:
Encephalartos relictus is 'evolutionarily extinct'. As there are only male plants in existence, they can never propogate naturally. It is known that JJP du Preez gave offshoots of specimens to several of his friends, and that would be the only way to propogate the species.
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| semi-shade | blue-green | low watering | slow growth | frost-resistant | unobtainable |
Encephalartos relictus is 'evolutionarily extinct'. As there are only male plants in existence, they can never propogate naturally. It is known that JJP du Preez gave offshoots of specimens to several of his friends, and that would be the only way to propogate the species.
E. relictus for sale at AfricaCycads.com: