Wood's cycad Encephalartos woodii
Wood's cycad (Encephalartos woodii) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Zamiaceae family, native to Ngoye Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (one male plant ever found). It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Wood's cycad in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Wood's cycad at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Zamiaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about July for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Ngoye Forest, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (one male plant ever found) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Wood's cycad toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: all parts
Cycads contain cycasin and other neurotoxins; all parts are poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Wood's cycad
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
See Wood's cycad in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (1 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (1 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (1 plants)
Questions about Wood's cycad
- How far apart should I plant Wood's cycad?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Wood's cycad need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wood's cycad need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wood's cycad?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Wood's cycad flower?
- From about July for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Wood's cycad poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Cycads contain cycasin and other neurotoxins; all parts are poisonous.
- What grows well with Wood's cycad?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wood's cycad. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Kew Gardens: Palm House, Temperate House, Rock Garden and Mediterranean Garden, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- Extinct in the wild (IUCN): every plant is an offset (clone) of a single male found in 1895; no female is known.
- Kew's Temperate House specimen came from that plant in 1899.
- Cannot set seed: no female exists.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Eastern Cape giant cycad Encephalartos altensteinii
- Cardboard palm Zamia furfuracea
- Karoo cycad Encephalartos lehmannii
- Burrawang (cycad) Macrozamia communis
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- English yew Taxus baccata