Zamiaceae

Encephalartos hildebrandtii

Mombasa Cycad · Mkwanga

Shrub

IUCN: Near ThreatenedCommon species

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About

This evergreen cycad features a stout trunk, typically 30 cm in diameter, which can grow up to 6 metres tall, crowned with stiff, glossy dark green fronds. New leaves emerge with attractive orange to olive green hues. Its lanceolate leaflets are distinct, having more than three teeth on their edges and often terminating in 2-3 spines.

Where it works in Kilifi

Well-suited for a Kilifi-coast garden, this cycad thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, gritty or sandy soil. It makes a striking specimen or accent plant, requiring ample space due to its potential large size and spreading canopy.

Growing notes

A fast-growing cycad, it reaches coning size in 8-10 years and can live for over 100 years. It requires regular watering during dry periods, preferring moist soil with good drainage, but will not tolerate standing water. The plant's foliage is spiny, and its seeds and stem pith are toxic if ingested without extensive processing.

Sources

Researched with web grounding from: llifle.com, wikipedia.org, wild-about-you.com, monaconatureencyclopedia.com, cycadinternational.com.au, chaosnursery.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.