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Scientific Name | Encephalartos hirsutus P.J.H.Hurter |
Higher Classification | Gymnosperms |
Family | ZAMIACEAE |
Common Names | Broodboom (a), Cycad (e), Venda Cycad (e), Venda-broodboom (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A2ad+4ad; B1b(v)+2b(v); C1+2a(i,ii); D |
Assessment Date | 2020/04/24 |
Assessor(s) | J.D. Bösenberg, S. Rodgers & J.S. Donaldson |
Justification | There was a drastic decline in the population of this species. The original population (at the time of description) was estimated at 400-500 plants. In 2004, only 219 plants were found in two localities as part of helicopter surveys, with most of the plants occurring at one site. S. Rogers (pers. comm.) from the Limpopo Provincial government reported in 2006 that ground rangers could not locate these plants and that they were assumed to have been removed. An observation posted on iNaturalist in 2021 indicated that this species still exists; three plants were observed. This species has declined by over 90% in the past 25 years and will continue to decline in future. It is therefore listed as Critically Endangered under criteria A, B, C and D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Limpopo |
Range | When the species was first described in 1996, there were three known localities in the Soutpansberg region of the Limpopo Province and the size of the wild population was estimated to number between 400 and 500 plants. Plants were recorded from 800 to 1,000 m asl. As of 2004, there were only 219 wild plants remaining in the wild, and in 2021 there were only three confirmed specimens left. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Limpopo Ridge Bushveld, Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld |
Description | Plants grow exposed on southeast-facing quartzite cliffs, in moist semi-deciduous mixed scrub. The rainfall is between 350 and 650 mm per annum. The vegetation type is mainly Mountain Bushveld. |
Threats |
| This species has effectively been extirpated in the wild due to over-collecting for ornamental purposes. |
Population |
The population of this species has declined from an estimated 400-500 plants when it was first described to only three individuals. Given the species' habitat in rugged mountainous terrain, it's possible that more than three specimens remain.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Encephalartos hirsutus P.J.H.Hurter | CR A4acd; B2ab(iii,iv,v); C1 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Encephalartos hirsutus P.J.H.Hurter | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Cycads. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, UK.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red Data List of southern African plants. 1. Corrections and additions. Bothalia 26(2):177-182.
Hurter, P.J.H. and Glen, H.F. 1996. Encephalartos hirsutus (Zamiaceae): a newly described species from South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 62(1):46-48.
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.
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Citation |
| Bösenberg, J.D., Rodgers, S. & Donaldson, J.S. 2020. Encephalartos hirsutus P.J.H.Hurter. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/15 |
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