Stangeria

Taxobox
name = Stangeria
status = NT | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Stangeria eriopus" in coastal lowland forest,
South Africa
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Cycadophyta
classis = Cycadopsida
ordo = Cycadales
familia = Stangeriaceae
genus = "Stangeria"
species = "S. eriopus"
binomial = "Stangeria eriopus"
binomial_authority = (Kunze) Baillon

"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 species occurs as two variable forms or varieties. The forest form, growing in regions with higher rainfall, is characterized by large, wide leaves that can reach up to 2 m in length. The grassland form, growing in regions subject to annual fire and drought, has shorter leaves with a thicker cuticle that may only be 30 cm long. In both varieties the petiole comprises one third to one half of the overall leaf length.

Stems are completely subterranean and the root is shaped like a carrot. As in other cycads, "S. eriopus" forms coralloid roots. These are specialized, plagiotropic (sideways-growing) roots housing colonies of cyanobacteria that fix nitrogen, much like the roots of legumes.

"S. eriopus" reaches maturity at 5-7 years of age, and has stalked cones as reproductive organs. As is typical of cycads, the species is dioecious, meaning that male and female cones are borne on different plants. The cones are insect-pollinated, giving off a faint odor to attract beetle pollinators. At maturity they fall apart to reveal the seeds, which are 2-3 cm in length.

The binomial name comes from the Greek prefix "erio-", meaning "woolly", and suffix "-pus", "footed", referring to the woolly petiole bases.

Distribution

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. This species of cycad is adaptable and is found in many habitats, from closed forest to grassland, but it is under increasing threat from habitat loss and unsustainable harvesting for traditional medicinal purposes.

References and external links

*
*Whitelock, Loran M. 2002. "The Cycads." Timber press, Portland(OR), 2002. ISBN 0-88192-522-5.
*Buckley, R. 1999. "A new significance for Stangeria?" The Cycad Newsletter 22(4): 11-14. [http://www.plantapalm.com/vce/evolution/stangeria.htm]
*Osborne, R., Grove, A., Oh, P., Mabry, T.J., Ng, J.C. & Seawright, A.A. "The magical and medicinal usage of Stangeria eriopus in South Africa." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 43: 67-72.1994. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7967657&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum]
*Vorster, P., and E. Vorster. "Stangeria eriopus." Encephalartos no. 2 (March): 1-11. 1985.
*Douwes, E., Gillmer, M., Mattson, M., and Dalzell, C. 2004. Vegetative propagation of Stangeria eriopus from leaf material. Encephalartos 80: 28-30.
* [http://plantnet.rbgsyd.gov.au/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?name=Stangeria+eriopus The Cycad Pages: "Stangeria eriopus"]
* [http://www.cycadsociety.org/eriopus/eriopus.html Cycad Society of South Africa: "Stangeria eriopus"]