A small colony of these plants was discovered on steep cliffs in the Vryheid district of KwaZulu Natal Province. A large variety of Encephalartos species are found within a 100 kilometer radius of Vryheid. (E. natalensis; E. aemulans; E. villosus; E. senticosus; E. lebomboensis etc.)
The Vryheid Piet Retiefii is different from all the Encephalartos species in the direct vicinity. Due to the long, thin leaflets, its closest resemblance is that of E. lebomboensis subspecies - E. Piet Retief form. The leaves of both these plants are green with the “Vryheid Piet Retiefii” a more lighter green than the E. lebomboensis. Both the p-p and the p-r angles are more acute giving the leaves an almost folded appearance.
The Vryheid Piet Retiefii is different from all the Encephalartos species in the direct vicinity. Due to the long, thin leaflets, its closest resemblance is that of E. lebomboensis subspecies - E. Piet Retief form. The leaves of both these plants are green with the “Vryheid Piet Retiefii” a more lighter green than the E. lebomboensis. Both the p-p and the p-r angles are more acute giving the leaves an almost folded appearance.
NATURAL HABITAT:
- A small colony of these plants was discovered on steep cliffs in the Vryheid district of KwaZulu Natal Province.
- A large variety of Encephalartos species are found within a 100 kilometer radius of Vryheid. (E. natalensis; E. aemulans; E. villosus; E. senticosus; E. lebomboensis etc.)
STEM:
LEAVES:
- Due to the long, thin leaflets, its closest resemblance is that of E. lebomboensis subspecies - E. Piet Retief form.
- The leaves of both these plants are green with the “Vryheid Piet Retiefii” a more lighter green than the E. lebomboensis.
- Both the p-p and the p-r angles are more acute giving the leaves an almost folded appearance.
