Encephalartos ferox, a member of the family Zamiaceae, is a small cycad with 35 cm wide subterranean trunk.

[3] It is found naturally on the south-eastern coast of Africa where it has been used by local people for its starch content.

[5] After looking at material found in Natal, South Africa, it was redescribed as E. kosiensis Hutchinson.

Its roots contract due to the collapse of transverse sheets of cells in the cortex.

[7] Young leaves are described as being hairy, and ranging from dark green to coppery brown in color.

[4] Cultivation is very popular among E. ferox since it can be grown fairly easily as long as there is plenty of water, well-drained soil, and moderate temperatures.

[4] It can be used by local people for starch content E. ferox is not able to hybridize with other species of the genus Encephalartos very successfully.