The Chimanimani cycad (Encephalartos chimanimaniensis) is a species of cycad that is endemic to the Chimanimani Mountains of eastern Zimbabwe.[1] It is a threatened species which has been locally extirpated by cycad collectors.[1]
These plants have an erect stem, without branches, but often with secondary stems that develop from basal suckers, up to 1.8 meters high and with 45 cm of diameter.
The leaves, pinnate, 100–150 cm long, are composed of lanceolate leaflets, with margins endowed with small spines, 12–18 cm long and arranged on the rachis at 45-80°.
It is a dioecious species, with 1-3 ovoid male cones, sessile, green in color, 50–70 cm long and 8–10 cm in diameter, with large, rhombic-shaped microsporophylls. The female cones, solitary, have a yellow-green color, are 35–40 cm long and 20–23 cm broad, with macrosporophylls with a warty surface.
The seeds have an oblong shape, are 20–30 mm long, 15–20 cm wide and are covered with a red sarcotesta.[2]
Statusedit
According to an assessment in 2003, between 500 and 1,000 plants remained in the wild.[1] Capela (2006) however provided an estimate of 1,200 mature plants at Makurupini and an additional 300 at Morambo, besides smaller isolated colonies.
Habitatedit
It is found in mountain grassland in areas of high rainfall (over 1,800 mm per annum), and at an altitude of about 1,000 metres above sea level. It is associated with schist and quartzite sediments in granitic mountains.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdeBösenberg, J.D. (2010). "Encephalartos chimanimaniensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T41902A10586060. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41902A10586060.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
^"Encephalartos chimanimaniensis". PlantNET Home Page - National Herbarium of New South Wales. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
External linksedit
Media related to Encephalartos chimanimaniensis at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Encephalartos chimanimaniensis at Wikispecies
This cycad article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
encephalartos, chimanimaniensis, chimanimani, cycad, species, cycad, that, endemic, chimanimani, mountains, eastern, zimbabwe, threatened, species, which, been, locally, extirpated, cycad, collectors, chimanimani, cycadconservation, statusendangered, iucn, sci. The Chimanimani cycad Encephalartos chimanimaniensis is a species of cycad that is endemic to the Chimanimani Mountains of eastern Zimbabwe 1 It is a threatened species which has been locally extirpated by cycad collectors 1 Chimanimani cycadConservation statusEndangered IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade GymnospermsDivision CycadophytaClass CycadopsidaOrder CycadalesFamily ZamiaceaeGenus EncephalartosSpecies E chimanimaniensisBinomial nameEncephalartos chimanimaniensisR A Dyer amp I Verd Contents 1 Description 2 Status 3 Habitat 4 References 5 External linksDescription editThese plants have an erect stem without branches but often with secondary stems that develop from basal suckers up to 1 8 meters high and with 45 cm of diameter The leaves pinnate 100 150 cm long are composed of lanceolate leaflets with margins endowed with small spines 12 18 cm long and arranged on the rachis at 45 80 It is a dioecious species with 1 3 ovoid male cones sessile green in color 50 70 cm long and 8 10 cm in diameter with large rhombic shaped microsporophylls The female cones solitary have a yellow green color are 35 40 cm long and 20 23 cm broad with macrosporophylls with a warty surface The seeds have an oblong shape are 20 30 mm long 15 20 cm wide and are covered with a red sarcotesta 2 Status editAccording to an assessment in 2003 between 500 and 1 000 plants remained in the wild 1 Capela 2006 however provided an estimate of 1 200 mature plants at Makurupini and an additional 300 at Morambo besides smaller isolated colonies Habitat editIt is found in mountain grassland in areas of high rainfall over 1 800 mm per annum and at an altitude of about 1 000 metres above sea level It is associated with schist and quartzite sediments in granitic mountains 1 References edit a b c d e Bosenberg J D 2010 Encephalartos chimanimaniensis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010 e T41902A10586060 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2010 3 RLTS T41902A10586060 en Retrieved 20 November 2021 Encephalartos chimanimaniensis PlantNET Home Page National Herbarium of New South Wales Retrieved 2019 09 17 External links edit nbsp Media related to Encephalartos chimanimaniensis at Wikimedia Commons nbsp Data related to Encephalartos chimanimaniensis at Wikispecies nbsp This cycad article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Encephalartos chimanimaniensis amp oldid 1056191696, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
