Cÿcådß☼ÿ™: Cycadelic Forum Created

The idea of creating a forum has been with me for some time now. It is the best known way to interact with like-minded people online - in a structured manner. Ok, so I went ahead and did it. To share thoughts with us on the forum, join HERE - it's quick and easy!! My main mission on the forum is to provide an index of all known cycad species with all the info you could possibly need for each one.

Here follows a sample of the type of structured info you can obtain on the forum. The example I chose to start with, due to its interesting story, is the well-known E. Transvenosus - the Modjadji Cycad - protected by the mystical Rain Queen.

E. Transvenosus

by Louis on Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:16 am

Scientific Name: Encephalartos Transvenosus
Common Name: Modjadji Cycad
Origin: Letaba Disctrict, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Modjadji Cycad Forest : Largest concentration of a single cycad
species in the world.

Climate: The climate of the Letaba District is subtropical, the soil
particularly fertile and the rainfalls are high.

Appearance: Growing up to 12 meters tall. The leaves are
1.5-2.5 m long, pinnate, with numerous leaflets,

each leaflet 16-25 cm long and 3-4 cm broad, with a spine tip and
2-3 small marginal teeth. The seed cones
are 50-80 cm long and 20-30 cm diameter, containing numerous
poisonous seeds surrounded by edible flesh.
Produces Cones/Seed from December to February.

Growing conditions:
- Well-drained soil
- Occurs naturally in frost-free conditions
- Requires regular watering, especially during dry seasons
- Full Sun / Light Shade
- Close to walls or similar protection from strong winds - due to
height.
- Large specimens transplants easily, but pruning of leaves are
recommended.

Conservation & Classification:

They occur in the Modjadji forest, a unique natural forest which can
be viewed in its prehistoric state
thanks to its strict protection by succeeding generations of Modjadji
('rain queens'), the hereditary rulers
in the area.