Encephalartos woodii
Encephalartos woodii
Wood’s cycad
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Taxonomy
Family Zamiaceae · Genus Encephalartos
Description
Encephalartos woodii, or Wood’s cycad, is a legendary collector’s plant—known only from a single male clone found in South Africa and now extinct in the wild. It’s a stately, slow-growing cycad with glossy, arching fronds and a sculptural trunk, prized in botanical gardens and elite collections.
Common Names
Wood’s cycadWoodii cycad
Context
nativeRegion
Ongoye (Ngoye) Forest, KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa
usdaZones
10–11 (possible in 9b with protection)
companionPlants
Aloe species, Agave species, Aloidendron barberae, Encephalartos altensteinii, Cycas revoluta, Portulacaria afra
culturalUses
Icon of plant conservation and living‑fossil education; grown in botanical gardens and prestige collections rather than general landscaping.
Care
Care Requirements
LightBright light to full sun; provide some afternoon shade for young plants in hot climates.
WateringDeep, infrequent water; allow the top 50–75% of soil to dry. Greatly reduce watering in cool seasons.
SoilSharply drained, gritty mix (e.g., cactus mix + pumice/perlite + coarse sand). Avoid waterlogged soils.
FertilizerLight feeding in spring/summer with slow‑release, low‑nitrogen fertilizer plus micronutrients (iron, magnesium). Do not overfeed.
HumidityTolerant of average household humidity; prefers moderate airflow and avoids stagnation.
TemperatureIdeal 60–90°F (16–32°C). Protect from frost; avoid prolonged drops below ~45°F (7°C). USDA 10–11 (9b with protection).
Growth & Life Cycle
HabitArborescent cycad with stout trunk and clumping basal suckers; glossy, pinnate fronds forming a dramatic crown.
Mature SizeTrunk to 10–20+ ft (3–6+ m) over many decades; fronds 6–10 ft (2–3 m); spread 6–12 ft (2–4 m).
Growth RateExtremely slow; inches of trunk per year under excellent conditions.
BloomingNon‑flowering; produces only male cones periodically (no seeds known due to lack of female plants).
DormancyNo true dormancy; growth slows markedly in cool weather and low light.
Propagation
MethodsBasal offsets (pups), Tissue culture (specialist labs)
DifficultyVery difficult—only vegetative propagation possible; no seeds available.
Best SeasonLate spring to mid‑summer for pup removal and rooting in warm conditions.
Maintenance & Notes
PruningRemove spent or yellowing fronds and old cones at the base with clean, sharp tools.
RepottingRepot every 3–5 years or when rootbound, using a slightly larger pot and very free‑draining mix. Keep on the dry side after repotting.
Pests & DiseasesWatch for scale (especially cycad aulacaspis scale), mealybugs, spider mites; prevent root rot with excellent drainage and careful watering.
ToxicityAll cycads contain toxins (e.g., cycasin). Ingestion is dangerous to pets and humans; wear gloves when handling.
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