Etymology: Latin ferox, fierce, from the stiff and sharply spiny leaflets. Literature: Illustrations: Vernacular: Historical notes: Described in 1851 by Portugese botanist -- Bertolucci. Distinguishing features: The bright orange-red cones are unique to this species, and the broad leaflets with lobes on both margins are also unique and unmistakable. Distribution and habitat: Northern Natal Province, South Africa, and southern Mozambique, in habitats ranging from closed evergreen forest to dense shrubland, on deep sands of old beach dune systems. Conservation: 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants category R.
Description:
Plants arborescent, or acaulescent; stem 1 m tall, 25-30 cm diam. Leaves 100-200 cm long, dark green, highly glossy, slightly keeled to flat in section (opposing leaflets inserted at 150-180° on rachis); rachis green, gently curved, somewhat lax, not spirally twisted; petiole straight, with 1-6 prickles; leaf-base collar not present; basal leaflets reducing to spines. Leaflets ovate, strongly discolorous, overlapping downwards or not overlapping, with 2-3 lobes on most leaflets, insertion angle horizontal or obtuse (45-80°); margins flat, or incurved; upper margin lightly toothed (1-3 teeth); lower margin lightly toothed (1-3 teeth); median leaflets 15 cm long, 35-50 mm wide. Pollen cones 1-10, fusiform, red, 40-50 cm long, 8-10 cm diam. Seed cones 1-5, ovoid, red, 25-50 cm long, 20-40 cm diam. Seeds oblong, 45-50 mm long, 15-20 mm wide, sarcotesta red.
|
