|
Scientific Name | Encephalartos heenanii R.A.Dyer |
Higher Classification | Gymnosperms |
Family | ZAMIACEAE |
Common Names | Broodboom (a), Cycad (e), Wollerige Broodboom (a), Woolly Cycad (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Extinct in the Wild |
Assessment Date | 2023/10/16 |
Assessor(s) | J.D. Bösenberg & T. Steyn |
Justification | This species used to occur in a transboundary area between South Africa and Eswatini with the main subpopulations in the Malolotja and Songimvelo Nature Reserves. Over the past few decades these subpopulations have declined and were finally extirpated due to persistent pressure from plant collectors. Surveys of the South African subpopulation showed a decline from 272 stems (115 plants) in 1996 to 45 stems (29 plants) in 2006 (83% decline) and the remaining plants in Eswatini had also been removed. Surveys in 2019 indicated that no plants remain in the wild and the species is now considered Extinct in the Wild. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Mpumalanga |
Range | This species used to cocur in the south-eastern Mpumalanga Porvince, South Africa, and northeastern mountainous area of Eswatini. A recent survey found no plants left in the wild. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Barberton Montane Grassland |
Description | It occurred on very steep slopes in short grassland in deep valleys between indigenous forests, at 750 to 1,750 m. |
Threats |
| This species was threatened due to over-collecting for ornamental purposes and the few remaining plants have all been removed from the wild. Furthermore, habitat destruction as a result of the planting of pine plantations had also affected these plants because fire is prevented in this area and the plants are possibly adapted to a fire cycle. |
Population |
A comprehensive survey was done in 1996 during which a total of 272 stems (115 plants) were counted. A survey in 2006 indicated that only 29 plants/clusters consisting of 45 stems remained in the wild in South Africa. The remaining plants in Eswatini had also been removed. The latest survey in 2019 indicated that no plants are left in the wild.
|
Conservation |
| It is conserved in Songimvelo Nature Reserve, Malolotja Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Encephalartos heenanii R.A.Dyer | CR B2ab(ii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Encephalartos heenanii R.A.Dyer | Endangered | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Encephalartos heenanii R.A.Dyer | Vulnerable | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Boon, R. 2010. Pooley's Trees of eastern South Africa. Flora and Fauna Publications Trust, Durban.
Emery, A.J., Lötter, M. and Williamson, S.D. 2002. Determining the conservation value of land in Mpumalanga. Report to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, South Africa.
Golding, J.S. 2002. Southern African plant red data lists. No. 14. SABONET, Pretoria.
Grobbelaar, N. 2003. Cycads. With special reference to the southern African species. (2nd ed.). Nat Grobbelaar, Pretoria.
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Hurter, J. 1994. Focus on Encephalartos heenanii. Encephalartos 40:4-7.
Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
|
Citation |
| Bösenberg, J.D. & Steyn, T. 2023. Encephalartos heenanii R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/15 |
Comment on this assessment
