Etymology: Honoring Professor Paolo Deluca, of the University of Naples, well-known student of cycads. Literature: Illustrations: Vernacular: Historical notes: Described in 1992 by botanists and horticulturists - Malaisse, J.P. Sclavo and -- Crosiers. Distinguishing features: One of a group of dwarf central African species (the E. poggei complex) that also includes E. schmitzii, E. marunguensis and E. schaijesii. Stemless, with small green cones. Distribution and habitat: Conservation: 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants category V. Description:
Plants acaulescent; stem 0.12 m tall, 10-20 cm diam; 6-9 leaves in crown. Leaves 50-65 cm long, dark green, semiglossy, strongly keeled (opposing leaflets inserted at 70-75° on rachis), with 50-75 leaflets; rachis green, straight with last third sharply recurved, not spirally twisted; petiole straight, with 1-6 prickles, spine-free for 4.5 cm; leaf-base collar not present; basal leaflets reducing to spines. Leaflets linear or lanceolate, strongly discolorous, not overlapping, not lobed, insertion angle obtuse (45-80°); margins flat; upper margin lightly toothed (1-3 teeth); lower margin lightly toothed (1-3 teeth); median leaflets 13-15 cm long, 11-14 mm wide. Pollen cones fusiform, green, 10-12 cm long, 2-3 cm diam.
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