Yas. 6654 
ENCEPHALARTOS virzosvs. 
Native of Natal. 
Nat. Ord. Crcapacem®.—Tribe ENCEPHALARTER. 
Genus Encersarartos, Lehm.; (Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Pl. vol. iii. p. 445.) 
EycerHatarros villesus ; trunco humili vel fere nullo frondium basibus tomen- 
tosis persistentibus arctissime imbricatis obtecto, foliis erectis demum patulis 
viridibus, petiolo rhachique primum cinereo-pubescentibus subcylindricis, 
segmentis utrinqgue 60-90 patentibus lineari-lanceolatis interdum subfalcatis 
basi angustatis apice pungente margine utrinque dentibus pracipue apicem 
versus plus minus distantibus suberectis pungentibus, inferioribus per spinas 
digitatas ad aculeos spiniformes sensim reductis, strobilis utriusque sexds 
pedunculatis squamis oblique deflexis, masculo anguste cylindrico squamis 
oblongis vel deltoideis vix stipitatis apice triangulari subpeltato margine 
inferiori crenato-denticulato, feemineo ovoideo-cylindrico squamis majoribus 
“age apice peltiformi subquadrangulo margine inferiori ad medium eroso- 
entato. 
E. villosus, Z-m. Ill. Hort. 1867, misc. p. 79 et 1868, t. 557; Regel Cycad. Rev. 
p-17; Gartenfl. 1877, p. 214; Kichler in Monastschr. Gartenb. 1880, t. 1; 
Gard. Chron. N.S. vol. i. p. 613, vol. iii. p.400, e¢ vol. vi. p. 708 (var. typica) ; 
vol. vi. p. 709 (var. nobilis) ; vol. vii. p. 21 e¢ vol. xiii. p. 181 (strobilus mas); 
vol. vi. p. 711 (strobilus fem.). 
_ This fine and very distinct species was first introduced 
mto European horticulture from Natal by M. Ambroise 
Verschaffelt, of Ghent. Its singularly graceful habit has 
Since won it a place in most considerable collections of 
Stove foliage plants which can afford space for its proper 
display. When first described, its cones were unknown, 
but they have been repeatedly produced since in cultivation. 
I have been favoured with specimens of the male cones 
from T. §. Gladstone, Esq., Capenoch, Dumfriesshire, and 
from ©, Warren, Esq., Handcross Park, Crawley; and of 
the female cones from Mr. Russel of Falkirk, Mr. Bull, 
and Don José da Canto of St. Michel, Azores. The 
female plant is undoubtedly the most ornamental. he 
Colour of the cone of the latter is often very striking, some- 
times assuming a deep apricot tinge. 
NOVEMBER Isr, 1882. 
