ON PALMS, CYCADS, AND BAMBOOS. 



857 



They have tall, cylindrical stems, and pinnate, terminal, armed 

 leaves. A similar compost to that used for Dioon suits the 

 Encephalartos. When in active growth they require an abundant 

 supply of water overhead as well as at the roots, but when at 

 rest it must be applied with the greatest care. Propagated by 

 seeds. E. Altensteinii is a very useful species, with a stout stem 

 and petioles swollen at the base ; the leaves often reach 6ft. long, 

 and have oblong acuminate pinnse armed with long sharp spines 

 (Fig- 573)- E- brachyphyllus- is distinct on account of its short 



Fig. 573. — Encephalartos Altensteinii. 



leaves, which are spreading, with erect pinna?, rather wide and 

 rigid, light green above and paler below; the petioles are 

 mostly tomentose. E. caffra produces a stem often reaching 

 20ft. high, with elegant spreading recurved leaves of very stiff 

 habit ; the pinnae are linear-lanceolate, 4m. to 6in. long. E. hor- 

 ridus is a striking species ; the rather stout trunk bears 

 remarkable bluish-green leaves, varying from 4ft. to 6ft. long, 

 erect, and twisted back sharply at the extremity ; the pinnae are 

 armed with sharp spines. E. lanuginosus is a beautiful spineless 

 variety, of a splendid deep green : its triink is 6ft. to 8ft. high, and 



