pin axis. Their shape is triangular to rhomboid. Each microsporophyll forms about 150 pollen sacs, which are attached in groups of 3-6 at the bottom. At maturity, the pin axis extends and the scales are lifted apart and release the pollen. Female cone The female cones are ellipsoidal to conical with a rounded tip. The cones are about 18 inches long and reach a diameter of about 8 centimeters. At maturity, the cone turn to dark green. Like the male microsporophylls, the female megasporophylls are cylindrically arranged around the axis. Their tips form but six vertical lines. The ovules are formed at the base of megasporophyll and reach a size of 35 × 25 millimeters. When the cone is ripe, the megasporophylls separate. The micropyle exudes a drop of liquid that pulls the pollen capillary to the embryo sack when it dries. After ripening the seeds, the female cones dissolve and the seeds fall to the ground. They consist of a hard, dark red part, which is surrounded by a fleshy, purple seed coat, which later turns brown. They are about 2 inches long and about 14 millimeters wide. Pollen The cones are insect-pollinated, giving off a faint odor to attract beetle pollinators. At maturity they fall apart to reveal the seeds, which are 2–3 cm in length. The pollen carry on the outside a glycocalyx, which consists of densely packed cylindrical units measuring 20 to 150 nanometers. They are perpendicular to the plasma membrane. Below is the sporopollenin. The germinal openings (apertures) are more proximal than distal. At the distal end of each pollen grain, there is an unusual pit (pseudosulcus) that resembles a "failed" distal aperture. Distribution and habitat It is native to a narrow coastal strip, some 800 kilometres in extent, in the KwaZulu-Cape and Maputaland coastal forest mosaics of South Africa and southern Mozambique. The western limit of the distribution area is located near Banjul in the district of Sarah Baartman. It is found within 50 km, but not closer than 2 or 3 km from the sea. This species of cycad is adaptable and is found in many habitats, from grassland to closed forest, whether in full sunshine or shade. The species has a low salt tolerance however. It is sometimes found in meadows near the coastal dunes, where the plants are protected from salt water. Sandy, slightly acidic soil is preferred, but at the