Oldest Pot Plant

Sorry.  It's not Cannabis sativa.

The oldest pot plant is actually the Eastern Cape giant cycad, also known as Encephalartos altensteinii. 

From www.plant-care.com and used with permission from Gary Antosh

Like all cycads, this is a prehistoric plant.

Encephalartos is derived from the Greek en (within), kephali (head) and artos (bread) because the pith of the plant can be used to make a bread-like food.  The species name altensteinii is a tribute to Baron von Stein zum Altenstein (1770-1840), a Prussian statesman at the court of King Fredrick William III.

The following photos of male and female cones are from Dave's Garden.

E. altensteinii's male cones. Photo by Geoff Stein. From Dave's Garden. Used with permission.

The. E. altensteinii is dioecious meaning it produces male and female cones on separate plants.  In order to propagate it by seeds one must have a male and female plant.  Both plants should cone at the same time to increase the chance of pollination.  It takes about 7 to 10 years before the first cone appears.

E. altensteinii's opening female cones. Photo by Geoff Stein. From Dave's Garden. Used with permission.The leaflets are stiff and green and have marginal spines.  It feels like plastic if you touch it. 

The IUCN has listed it as a vulnerable species since 1998 and it is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. 

The most famous specimen of this plant can be found in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.  The specimen at Kew was collected  in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa in 1773 by plant hunter Francis Masson.  It has produced a cone only once at Kew.

Of course you guessed it right.  The Kew E. altensteinii is the oldest pot plant in the world.

E. altensteinii at Kew Gardens. © 2010 Suzanne Cadwell. Used with permission.

Isn't it just amazing?  Over 200 years old and appreciated by so many generations of Kew visitors.

I too have my own E. altensteinii but my specimen is much, much younger than the one at Kew.  Just two years old, with proper care it will definitely outlive my generation.  I wonder how many generations will get to appreciate my plant? 

 The oldest pot plant definitely gives a different kind of high.

Comments

[debsgarden]

That is amazing! And to think it was the size of yours once upon a time. I would like to see the pot it is growing in!

[donna]

You pot plant has a long way to go and at least it is legal! I hope they grow fast.

[The Plant Chaser]

@ Deb: Here is a link that shows the plant being repotted. Thankfully, I will not have to go through something like that for my plant.

http://www.landscapejuice.com/2009/07/cycad-encephalartos-altensteinii-repotted-at-kew-gardens.html


@ Donna: Definitely a long way to go! They don't grow fast either.

[andrea]

Oh so you have that, great! I placed in my profile info at Blotanicals it is Kew Botanical Gardens i want to visit in this lifetime. That specimen in Kew looks like it really is in the generation of the dinosaurs. I drafted a post on cycas after you left, but i posted first today the Epiphyllum to be linked to yours. Maybe One will think i am just following your lead, haha! It is good she is still on vacation. BTW, maybe in this lifetime you will not yet be able to see an inch of trunk from your E. altensteinii. I hope it is a male so you can bring pollen to Kew for its fertilization.

[The Plant Chaser]

Great! Thank you for the Epiphyllum link.

I can't wait to see what you will post about cycas. I've already planted the C. edentata. Thanks to you and Tristan for making the time and effort to climb up the mountain for the specimens.

[Ginny]

Amazing. I hope you'll keep us posted on the development of your specimen.

[Solitude Rising]

That is one majestic cycad indeed.

I'm a very impatient man and growing like the one you have in our garden will really test my patience. I think I'll just be contented looking at someone else's Eastern Cape cycad...LOL

[Alistair]

So very interesting, we have a few pot plants, nothing quite so exotic, still I think I will keep the doors locked.

[Autumn Belle]

Wow, this is certainly a plant worth chasing for! The female cones looks like a little red dragon at first glance. What a special plant to own. Definitely a treasure to pass on to the future generations.

[makarimi]

This is awesome. I really admire to have this plant...even just a small plant is enough for me. This plant also exotic and beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.

[radha]

Lovely pictures. I am sure many will enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come!!

[Diana]

Wow are those tree for real? I never seen something so exotic like that. It seems to belong in the land once rule by dinosaurs. Amazing.

[Esther Montgomery]

I find it rather creepy - not your one but the others. I don't think I'd care to care for a grown up version.

Esther

[Patty]

In Canada the tree for future generations is the oak tree. "The Mighty Oak" comes from a small acorn and unusual seed itself which has its own hat. Your specimen is truly magnificent or will be, judging by the photos of the oldest plant. A Supremely interesting plant.

[David]

You always think of the most interesting topics to put on your blog. Who said botany was boring?
What a great shot of that ancient trunk...perhaps still in its original pot?
I had guessed you were going to say Gingko since the Chinese had them in pots for thousands of years. The first western explorer to see a living Gingko was stunned since they were only known by fossil records. I like your story much, much better!
Great post.
David/ :-)

[The Plant Chaser]

@ Ginny: I doubt if I'll be able to update you much. It is an extremely slow growing plant.


@ SR: I think that is why I can appreciate even the minutest changes in my plant. Plus I like the challenge of growing them to such a beautiful form.


@ Alistair: Pity the fool who would think to steal the Kew specimen (it weighs a ton) or my plant (which is still relatively worthless because of its size and age). Your blooms are much more of a delight on the eye. I think you are right to keep the doors locked. :-D


@ AB: I'm keeping my fingers crossed for at least 3 generations to enjoy my plant.


@ Makarimi: Thanks! I'm glad you found it interesting.


@ Radha: Thanks! Most of the pictures were posted with the permission of very generous (and more talented than me) photographers.


@ Diana: These plants lived during the age of dinosaurs so you're observation is spot on.


@ Esther: My baby will most likely end up creepy too. Don't worry, though, like I always say, I like the rare and unusual ones and they don't necessarily have to be pretty. :-D


@ Patty: Really? The oak and not the maple? In any case, both are extremely wonderful to look at. Trees can be so grand and impressive.


@ David: It's no longer in it's original pot. You can catch it being repotted here:

http://www.landscapejuice.com/2009/07/cycad-encephalartos-altensteinii-repotted-at-kew-gardens.html

You know, I should check on the Gingko's. I had the privilege of seeing one estimated to be at least 400 years old earlier this year. If you're interested, you can catch a picture here:

http://www.plantchaser.com/main/2011/1/31/turning-japanese-part-ii-the-imperial-capitals.html

[Stephanie]

What you have is definitely very precious and be treasured by your grand children :-D

[The Plant Chaser]

I hope so Stephanie. My grandchildren at least. The more generations, the better.

[rosey]

Congrats on your one year anniversary of your site! Also belated birthday wishes!

[The Plant Chaser]

Thanks Rosey! I hope you join in the celebrations!