Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: duisendheuwelsbroodboom, Natalbroodboom, Natal giant cycad, Natal cycad, Thousand Hills cycad, umGuza, iSigqikisomkhovu

Family: Zamiaceae (Cycad)

Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal

Habitat: Cliffs, forests, rocky outcrops

IUCN Red list: Near threatened

Regional red list: Near threatened

National red list: Near Threatened

CITES: Appendix I

Black list: Indigenous to South Africa

Life form: Evergreen perennial

Usage: Horticultural, Medicinal, edible

Comments: Family: Zamiaceae
Origin/distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal (ZA endemic)
Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT) both on national and global scale i.e., IUCN
Sentence 1: The Encephalartos genus dates back to 250 ya.
Sentence 2: 2.1.The bark of E. natalensis is harvested for African traditional medicine trade in most parts of KwaZulu-Natal. The species has also been affected by development e.g., mining/energy production. 2.2. In times of famine the pith of the stem was used as a substitute for bread flour, hence the common names “Broodboom”. 2.3. Common to the Encephalartos genus, E. Natalensis is used as a garden plant.