Encephalartos barteri explained

Encephalartos barteri is a species of cycad that is native to Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo.^[1]

Description

This species is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. The male cones are spindle-shaped, yellow, and measure 8–23 cm long and 3–5 cm in diameter. They have broad, rhombic-shaped microsporophylls. The female cones are ovoid, green, and larger, measuring 15–35 cm long and 8–15 cm in diameter. Their macrosporophylls have a warty surface. The seeds are oblong, 20–30 mm long, 18–23 mm wide, and covered by a red sarcotesta.^[2]

Range

Encephalartos barteri occurs:

• near Tokkos, Plateau State, central Nigeria (Encephalartos barteri ssp. allochrous)
• between Jebba and Ilorin in Nigeria
• Borgou Department and near Savalou in Benin
• Volta River watershed, Ghana
• Togo

Notes and References

1. Web site: Encephalartos barteri in Tropicos.
2. Newton . L. E. . A new cycad subspecies from Nigeria . Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society . 77 . 2 . 1978 . 10.1111/j.1095-8339.1978.tb01379.x . 125–129.