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Scientific Name | Encephalartos humilis I.Verd. |
Higher Classification | Gymnosperms |
Family | ZAMIACEAE |
Common Names | Dwarf Cycad (e), siJekwane (sw) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A2acd+4acd; B1ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/11 |
Assessor(s) | J.D. Bösenberg & T. Steyn |
Justification | This species is mostly affected by forestry plantations in its primary habitat, and an estimated 30% of its habitat has been lost in the past 60 years. While this is less than one generation (70 years), further extrapolation is difficult and this is treated as the minimum population reduction. Forestry has slowed, but it is estimated that a further 10% of habitat may be affected in the next 30 years. Surveys at one site in 2012 also showed further declines of ca 25% due to the illegal removal of plants indicating collecting from the wild as a continuing cause of decline. It, therefore, qualifies as Vulnerable under criteria A2 and A4 and based on the number of locations, extent of occurrence (EOO), decline in habitat quality and number of plants in the wild it also qualifies as Vulnerable under criterion B1, while the EOO value strongly implies that the area of occupancy is also <2,000 km2, so it should qualify under criterion B2 as well. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Mpumalanga |
Range | This species occurs in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Subpopulations are found in the catchment area of the Crocodile River, in the vicinity of Nelspruit, Waterval Boven and Lydenburg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Legogote Sour Bushveld, Long Tom Pass Montane Grassland, Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland, Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld, Northern Escarpment Dolomite Grassland, Lydenburg Thornveld |
Description | It grows in subalpine grassland, on slopes on sandy soils over sandstones and is often wedged between sandstone rocks. Subpopulations are mostly found on east and north-east facing slopes. Heavy rains and dense mists favour coning. |
Threats |
| Habitat loss to forestry plantations has caused the majority of past population decline. This species is threatened by the lack of natural fires in vast managed plantations and this possibly suppresses coning frequency. Many plants have also been removed for ornamental purposes. Reports indicate that in 2004 about 400 plants were removed in one consignment. Then in 2008 about 140 plants were removed in a further consignment. (D. Bösenberg - notes taken during NDF workshop.). |
Population |
The estimated population size of this species is 4,500-9,500 mature individuals. Its habitat has been transformed through pine and eucalypt plantations that now occupy approximately 30% of its original habitat. Although this species has been regarded as difficult to transplant and therefore relatively unaffected by poaching, surveys of the Mondi Cycad Reserve in 2012 indicated that 150 plants had been removed, comprising an approximate 25% reduction in the ca. 600 plants were counted in a census in 2006 (T. Suinyuy and J. Botha in litt. 2012).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Protected in a number of private nature reserves and conservancies. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Encephalartos humilis I.Verd. | VU A2acd; C1 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Encephalartos humilis I.Verd. | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Encephalartos humilis I.Verd. | Vulnerable | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Cycads. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, UK.
Goode, D. 1989. Cycads of Africa. Struik/Winchester, Cape Town.
Goode, D. 2001. Cycads of Africa Volume I. D&E Cycads of Africa, Gallo Manor.
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.
Jones, D.L. 2002. Cycads of the world: Ancient plants in today's landscape. (2nd ed.). New Holland, Sydney.
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. & Steyn, T. 2020. Encephalartos humilis I.Verd. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/17 |
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