Encephalartos whitelockii

Encephalartos whitelockii, also known as the Uganda Giant Cycad, is a fast and massive grower, putting forth dark green, highly glossy, slightly keeled hooked leaves. It is very rare in cultivation, particularly in some of the larger sizes we have. Leaves grow to 14 feet long, and leaflets up to 12 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Encephalartos whitelockii is distinguished among the central African species by its stiff dark green leaves with hooked, well-spaced, toothed leaflets that curve towards the leaf tip and carry more than 3 teeth on each margin. Encephalartos whitelockii thrives in direct or filtered sun. It can handle temperatures down below freezing, but prefers a frost-free environment.

Here's a video slide show from our installing an Encephalartos whitelockii "Uganda Giant" cycad in Manhattan Beach: