BREAD PALM

also called Kaffir Bread, any of several species of Encephalartos, cycads (palmlike gymnosperms) native to southern Africa. The names are derived from a breadlike foodstuff prepared from the mealy, starchy centre of the stem and perhaps also from the seeds, which have fleshy coverings. The trees, reaching nearly 20 feet (6 metres) in height, have very stiff, spreading pinnate leaves 3 to 4 ft long and recurving at the tip. Several species of Encephalartos form handsome greenhouse and conservatory plants.