A colony of plants also resembling Encephalartos laevifolius, was found close to the border of the Eastern Cape Province and the Southern border of KwaZulu-Natal in the vicinity of the Umtamvuna river. The distance of this group of plants was found more than 350 km from the E. laevifolius in the Tugela Ferry and almost 800 km from the Kaapschehoop laevifolius colony in the Mpumalanga Province.
Due to the fact that the leaflets were thinner, and the stems had small scales, these plants were also grouped within the “laevifolius complex”. These plants were never
scientifically studied. The small colony was relocated by certain nature conservation officials to a safe locality with disastrous results. All the relocated stems perished and
only a few suckers – which were previously removed by collectors, survived.
Due to the fact that the leaflets were thinner, and the stems had small scales, these plants were also grouped within the “laevifolius complex”. These plants were never
scientifically studied. The small colony was relocated by certain nature conservation officials to a safe locality with disastrous results. All the relocated stems perished and
only a few suckers – which were previously removed by collectors, survived.
NATURAL HABITAT:
- Found close to the border of the Eastern Cape Province and the Southern border of KwaZulu-Natal in the vicinity of the Umtamvuna river.
STEM:
- Due to the fact that the leaflets were thinner, and the stems had small scales, these plants were also grouped within the “laevifolius complex”.
LEAVES:
- The leaves of this plant are longer than the Kaapschehoop and Mariepskop laevifolius, which often have a “ruffled” look due to twisting and curling of the rachis of some of the leaves.
- The leaves when emerging, are a bright green that will later become a dark dull green.
