[3] This is a tall, tree-like cycad plant with a stem that can be upright or lying down, reaching up to 4.5 m (15 ft) in height and 30 and 45 cm (12–18 in) in diameter.

The leaves are made up of many pairs of large, leathery leaflets, each up to 15 cm (6 in) long, arranged at a sharp angle along the central leaf spine, partially overlapping, and with the lower edges having 3-4 triangular lobes.

There existed an early report of E. latifrons occurring in the Uitenhage district, but this was almost certainly a mistake, possibly as a result of incorrect labelling.

[5] In August 2014, thirteen Encephalartos latifrons cycads were stolen from Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town, South Africa.

The removal of mature plants is a significant risk, as the species heavily relies on adult survival, and the extinction of natural pollinators and a lack of recent seed production add to its challenges.