Encephalartos ferox, Zulu Cycad

Encephalartos ferox
 Zulu Cycad

Any plant with the species name ferox (meaning fierce) is bound to be full of spines or of stiff appearance and such is the case with this Cycad.It is from the coastal region of Mosambique and northern Natal in South Africa and makes a striking feature plant in any garden given plenty of space and a well drained soil. It will grow across a range of climates and will even tolerate a light frost. Though they can be slow growing ,Cycads will produce brightly coloured cones from when quite a small plant. Many Cycads are endangered plants in the wild through destruction of habitat and over harvesting of seed.
2017 update: This is not a plant I grow.