Etymology: Latin gratus, pleasing Literature: Illustrations: Vernacular: Historical notes: Described in 1916 by English botanist -- Prain. Distinguishing features: Distribution and habitat: North-western Mozambique and south-eastern Malawi, on steep to precipitous slopes in gorges near streams. Conservation: 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants category V.
Description:
Plants arborescent; stem 2.5 m tall, 60 cm diam. Leaves 120-200 cm long, dark green, highly glossy, flat (not keeled) in section (opposing leaflets inserted at 180° on rachis); rachis green, gently curved, somewhat lax, slightly twisted in some leaves; petiole straight, with 1-6 prickles; leaf-base collar not present; basal leaflets reducing to spines. Leaflets lanceolate, weakly discolorous, not overlapping, not lobed, insertion angle horizontal; margins flat; upper margin heavily toothed (more than 3 teeth); lower margin heavily toothed (more than 3 teeth); median leaflets 18-26 cm long, 20-35 mm wide. Pollen cones 15-20, fusiform, brown, 30-40 cm long, 4.5-10 cm diam. Seed cones 2-5, ovoid, brown, 55-65 cm long, 15-20 cm diam. Seeds oblong, 30-40 mm long, 14-20 mm wide, sarcotesta red.
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