Stangeria eriopus is a cycad endemic to southern Africa It is the sole species in the genus Stangeria, most closely related to the Australian genus Bowenia, with which it forms the family Stangeriaceae.
Stangeria eriopus has pinnately-veined, fern-like leaves that distinguish it from all other cycads. The leaves vary in length from 25 cm to 2 m depending on the environment. The petiole makes up half of this length. Its stems are completely subterranean and its root is shaped like a carrot, but, as in other cycads, S. eriopus also forms corralloid roots.
S. eriopus has stalked cones as reproductive organs. As is typical of cycads, the male and female cones are borne on different plants.
This species of cycad is under increasing threat from habitat loss and unsustainable harvesting for traditional medicinal purposes. It is native to the east coast of South Africa and southern Mozambique. It is found within 50 km, but not closer than 2 to 3 km, from the sea.
The binomial name comes from the Greek prefix erio-, meaning "woolly", and suffix -pus, "footed", referring to the woolly petiole bases.
References
