Encephalartos inopinus

Encephalartos inopinus is a species of cycad (Family Zamiaceae) that is native to Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Description
This palm-like cycad grows up to 3 meters tall with stems that are 15-25 cm in diameter. Its leaves are 100-150 cm long, either blue or semi-glossy silver. The leaflets are 14-20 cm long, lanceolate, and have a toothed margin. They grow in pairs at a 180° angle along the rachis. The plant is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female specimens. Male specimens have 1-3 green ovoid cones that are 18-25 cm long and 6-8 cm in diameter with green to silvery color. Female specimens have 1-2 oval cones of the same color, which are larger at 30-35 cm long and 12 cm in diameter. Both types of cones appear in January, which is the middle of summer in the southern hemisphere. The seeds are 20-25 mm long, 15-20 mm wide, and covered with an orange sarcotesta. Both the macrosporophylls and microsporophylls have a flat, smooth, and glabrous surface.

Etymology
Encephalartos is Greek and means 'bear's head'. Inopinus is Latin and means 'unexpected'.