Encephalartos kanga

Encephalartos kanga, also known as Mnanasi Pori is a species of cycad in the family Zamiaceae. It is native to Tanzania.

Encephalartos kanga
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Cycadophyta
Class: Cycadopsida
Order: Cycadales
Family: Zamiaceae
Genus: Encephalartos
Species:
E. kanga
Binomial name
Encephalartos kanga
Pócs & Q.Luk

This species is found in Mount Kanga, a hill of the Nguru Mountains in the Mvomero district, Morogoro, Tanzania. They are situated on the southern ridge and south eastern slopes of Mt. Kanga at an altitude between 1,000m and 1,300m.[2][3]

Etymology

The name "kanga" originates from the mountain in which the species is situated in, Mount Kanga. The word "kanga" means "jungle-fowl" in local languages.[4]

Description

It is an arborescent species, with pachycaulous barrel-shaped trunks around 1.5m long, 50 cm in diameter and shiny, dark green leaves. They are also dioecious.[4]

Status

The Encephalartos kanga is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN.[3] It is a rare species with small populations scattered around Mt. Kanga. Its total area of occupation is less than 10 km2 and the total number of mature individuals is estimated to be less than 50.[3][4]

Threats

The mountain, being seen as sacred by the local inhabitants, and its remoteness means that deforestation is not a current problem. The most serious threat to the species is the horticultural trade. There have been instances of foreign collectors entering the area and removing 100-200 seedlings at one time.[3]

Conservation

They are currently under conservation in the Kanga Forest Reserve.[3]

Uses

Like all cycads, the Encephalartos kanga is highly sought after by the horticultural trade, especially because it is a new species. However, this also poses a threat to the species.[3]

References
  1. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41948/10608996
  2. Pócs, Tamás; Luke, Quentin (July 2007). "A New Species of Encephalartos (Zamiaceae) from Tanzania". Journal of East African Natural History. 96 (2): 193–201. doi:10.2982/0012-8317(2007)96[193:ANSOEZ]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0012-8317.
  3. Project, Eastern Arc Mountains & Coastal Forests CEPF Plant Assessment (2009-10-31). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Encephalartos kanga". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
  4. Haynes, Jody. "Encephalartos kanga PÓCS & Q. LUKE — A Newly Described 'Red Cone Cycad' from Tanzania" (PDF). The Cycad Society.
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