Encephalartos transvenosus female cones

Female or seed cones of Encephalartos transvenosus, the Modjadji cycad, grow large and heavy. They may weigh up to 40 kg when mature in late summer and autumn and may take 18 months to reach that stage. The golden colour is tinged with yellow and brown, with less green as it approaches ripeness. The densely packed scales form attractive geometric spiral patterns along the surface of the cone that resembles a pineapple. Two naked ovules that may develop into seeds are borne above each scale of the cone (Coates Palgrave, 2002).