Encephalartos ferox (Zululand Cycad)

Native to coastal Mozambique and northeastern South Africa, this cycad grows in dune forest, coastal scrub and wooded grassland. Its usually short or underground trunk carries arching dark green leaves with broad, sharply toothed leaflets. Male and female cones develop on separate plants. Both can be orange-red to scarlet, but male cones are narrow and cylindrical while female cones are broader and egg-shaped. Mature seeds have a bright orange to red fleshy covering. The plant produces new shoots from its base and can recover after superficial fire damage. It is classified as Near Threatened. Like other cycads, it contains poisonous compounds, especially in the seeds. Photographed in Colombia.