Very Rare form of Encephalartos middelburgensis ID needed!

[yachtingone]

These are pics of the plant I want ID on:

It's a big one!

This pic is the common form;

Thanks for looking!

Randy

[LJG]

Randy, I would assume you think it is a Stofberg?

[yachtingone]

Len I have Know idea what variation it is. The person that sold it to me said it's very rare and when his computer crashed the type of varition was lost

[tropicalb]

i have seen plants like this before and i have no idea what form they are, but they certainly look like crosses of middleburgensis and eugene maraisii to me....not saying they are a hybrid...just noting that's how they look.

[yachtingone]

len you may be right!

[LJG]

Randy, I am not sure what it is to be honest. But if it is a Middle, then the only one with spines on the leaflet is Stofberg. Avontuur is another rare one, but it doesnt have the spines and the leaf bases are armed, not smooth like this one. Have you joined Cycad Freinds forum yet? Go there, they will ID it quickly.