North Florida Cycad ID

[tank]

Looking to get an id of a large Cycad growing in North Florida.  Sees temps regularly into the low 20s F.

 

[Merlyn]

Based on the leaf shape (prickles near the base) and the overall size, I'd guess Encephalartos Gratus.  Mine took a lot of damage at 24-26F but were fully exposed to heavy frost.  I think they do pretty well to around 22-23 if they have some frost protection.

[tank]

On 11/29/2022 at 11:57 AM, Merlyn said:

Based on the leaf shape (prickles near the base) and the overall size, I'd guess Encephalartos Gratus.  Mine took a lot of damage at 24-26F but were fully exposed to heavy frost.  I think they do pretty well to around 22-23 if they have some frost protection.

Thank you, I'll try to get some better photos at some point.  I would consider this an odd plant for the yard where it is located.  Can't be too many of those in Gainesville.  It's been there for awhile.

[Merlyn]

@tank, yeah that's an odd one to just find in a random yard!  The middle leaflets are pretty distinctive for Gratus and Kisambo.  They have those big spikes near the base of the leaflet that (I think) are not found in other Encephalartos.  Or if they are, it's only in a couple of Manikensis types that are much smaller than that plant.  But I could definitely be wrong...