OTHER CYCAD FEATURES
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ENCEPHALARTOS WOODII
Locality: This species is now extinct in the
wild. The original "population" consisted of a single male
plant with multiple stems. This plant was located in the
Ngoye Forest, in northern region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Plant Size: This is a large species, with
leaves extending up to three meters and large stems growing in
excess of six meters. This plant is only propagated
through the harvesting of basal suckers, which this species
readily does.
Other Characteristics: This is a unique
cycad above all others in many ways.
First of all, there was only one known plant of this species in
the wild. Discovered in 1895 by John M. Wood (Curator for
Durbin Botanical Garden and director of the Natal Government
Herbarium), E. woodii was confused as a cultivar of
Encephalartos altensteinii. It was not until 1908,
when English horticulturist Henry Sander described it as its own
species (and called it E. woodii after John M. Wood) and sent a pup of the plant back to Kew Botanical Garden
in London (where it still is today). (Wikipedia,
Distribution and Habitat) The last
known stems were removed in 1916 and moved to Durbin Botanical
Garden (only one of the stems survived this).
Today all
plants world wide are from pups of one male plant discovered in Ngoye forest over two hundred years ago. There have been
multiple concerted efforts put forth by taxonomists and plant
enthusiasts alike to see if there are any more plant in the
wild, but to no avail, no plants were ever discovered.
There is great debate over this species and what it is.
Some people believe that it is a natural hybrid between
Encephalartos natalensis and Encephalartos ferox,
others believe that is the last remaining relic of a bygone age.
It is hard to say for sure at this point, but this plant is most
closely related to Encephalartos natalensis, which has
be proven through genetic testing. In an
effort to "resurrect" this species, horticulturists have been
"backcrossing" the species. For this species, the process
would go as follows: the male pollen of E. woodii is
applied to a female E. natalensis cone(s), which
produces a hybrid between E. woodii and E.
natalensis. Then male pollen of E. woodii is
applied to the female hybrid of E. natalensis X E.
woodii cone(s). This process is continued until the
plant almost 100% +/- E. woodii. At which point
there will be both males and females of this species. This
is a very slow process as it can take over a decade to get a
coning size plant. This process will have to be repeated
multiple times to achieve the goal, but one day there may be
female E. woodii once again!
Until that time, if
you want this species you have to get them from offsets (basal
sucker which have been removed). There are some issues
with this. The first problem is that E. woodii pups are
very susceptible to rot and death after being removed and can be
quite difficult to establish an keep alive the first several
years. Another consideration is that offsets are VERY
expensive!!! You will spend a large amount of money and
will assume tremendous risk. To be fair, once established
this species is easy to grow, but it is far from easy to get to
that point. There are no female cones to describe for this
species, but the male cones are a golden yellow/orange.
Culture: In coastal and inland areas,
this plant wants to be in full or partial sun. For desert
areas, this plant will require filtered light or shade.
The soil needs to drain well as this species is susceptible to
rot.
Landscape Usage: For those who have this
species, this is the gem of their garden and is given the best
spot they have. It is far too rare and desirable to place
it anywhere else. It is quite large and needs room, so it
is not an ideal species for smaller gardens.
Availability: Encephalartos
woodii would be considered by most to be the most rare
cycad in the world. This is because there is only one
primary male plant in South Africa and any other plants had to
be, by definition, from an offset off of this one plant.
Over time this has happened and there are scores of such plants
around the world. But, presently to get a true woodii
one must get an offset from an existing domestic plant.
Also, these offsets are very difficult to successfully root and
most removed pups end up dying. All these factors make
this among one of the hardest and most difficult plants on the
planet to obtain. If you understand what is said above,
you'll also know that it's impossible to offer a customer a
"seedling". At this time no female plants are known to
exist.
Availability: Encephalartos
woodii would be considered by most to be the most rare
cycad in the world. This is because there is only one
primary male plant in South Africa and any other plants had to
be, by definition, from an offset off of this one plant.
Over time this has happened and there are scores of such plants
around the world. But, presently to get a true woodii
one must get an offset from an existing domestic plant.
Also, these offsets are very difficult to successfully root and
most removed pups end up dying. All these factors make
this among one of the hardest and most difficult plants on the
planet to obtain. If you understand what is said above,
you'll also know that it's impossible to offer a customer a
"seedling". At this time no female plants are known to
exist.
Pricing:
Encephalartos woodii is one of the most expensive
plants to obtain that there is (see above). We very rarely
have one for sale. If interested in one, contact us and
we'd let you know if one becomes available.
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