Encephalartos kanga
| Encephalartos kanga | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Cycadophyta |
| Class: | Cycadopsida |
| Order: | Cycadales |
| Family: | Zamiaceae |
| Genus: | Encephalartos |
| Species: | E. kanga
|
| Binomial name | |
| Encephalartos kanga Pócs & Q.Luke
| |
Encephalartos kanga, also known as Mnanasi Pori is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is native to Tanzania. The plant was formally described as a new species in 2007 by Tamás Pócs and Quentin Luke.
This species is found in Mount Kanga, a hill of the Nguru Mountains in the Mvomero district, Morogoro, Tanzania. They are situated on the southern ridge and south eastern slopes of Mt. Kanga at elevations between 1,000 and 1,300 m (3,300 and 4,300 ft).[3][4]
Etymology
The name "kanga" originates from the mountain in which the species is situated in, Mount Kanga. The word "kanga" means "jungle-fowl" in local languages.[5]
Description
Encephalartos kanga is a
The leaflets near the apex of the plant are more elliptic in shape and have more marginal spines. For instance, the 5th to 7th leaflets from the apex measure between 19.0–23.5 cm in length and 2.2–2.8 cm in width, with 2–5 spines along the first 3–8 cm of the distal margin, and 3–4 spines evenly distributed along the lower margin. Female
Status
The Encephalartos kanga is listed as
Threats
The mountain, being seen as sacred by the local inhabitants, and its remoteness means that deforestation is not a current problem. The most serious threat to the species is the horticultural trade. There have been instances of foreign collectors entering the area and removing 100-200 seedlings at one time.[4]
Conservation
They are currently under conservation in the Kanga Forest Reserve.[4]
Uses
Like all cycads, the Encephalartos kanga is highly sought after by the horticultural trade, especially because it is a new species. However, this also poses a threat to the species.[4]
References
- ^ IUCN SSC Cycad Specialist Group (2009). "Mnanasi Pori. Encephalartos kanga". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2009. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
- ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
- ^ .
- ^ a b c d e f Project, Eastern Arc Mountains & Coastal Forests CEPF Plant Assessment (2009-10-31). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Encephalartos kanga". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
- ^ a b Haynes, Jody. "Encephalartos kanga PÓCS & Q. LUKE — A Newly Described 'Red Cone Cycad' from Tanzania" (PDF). The Cycad Society.