Cycads are the most primitive living seed-bearing plants known, and belong to an ancient order which flourished in the Carboniferous period 50 to 60 million years ago. This is a complete reference to the genus Encaphalartos, and includes all the known species of this distinctly African group, as well as the sole living representative of the genus Strangeria. Each species is illustrated with 3 colour plates showing all aspects of the plant's structure and habitat, backed up with a comprehensive text.