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.

Distribution & Habitat

E. delucanus occurs only in Tanzania

 

Cultivation & Propagation

Not Known

 

Notes:

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. Honoring Professor Paolo Deluca, of the University of Naples, well-known student of cycads. Described in 1992 by botanists and horticulturists - Malaisse, J.P. Sclavo and -- Crosiers

Population is less than 1,000 mature individuals. CITES Appendix I

References & Acknowledgements:

• Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney