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Scientific Name | Encephalartos inopinus R.A.Dyer |
Higher Classification | Gymnosperms |
Family | ZAMIACEAE |
Common Names | Broodboom (a), Cycad (e), Lydenburg Cycad (e), Lydenburg-broodboom (a), Mofaka (ns) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A2ad+4ad; B1ab(v)+2ab(v); C2a(i,ii); D |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/07 |
Assessor(s) | J.S. Donaldson & S. Rodgers |
Justification | This species has experienced a rapid decline. Repeat helicopter surveys show numbers dropping from 677 in 1992 to 113 in 2001 (83% decline) and to 81 plants in 2004 (further 28%). S. Rogers (pers. comm.) from the Limpopo Provincial Government reported in 2006 that the species might be extinct in the wild as poaching had continued after 2004. Surveys in 2008 and then again in 2012 failed to locate any plants. Experts consulted during development of a management plan for the species agreed that it was most likely extinct in the wild. After additional surveys, the latest report is that there is only one sucker left in the wild (S. Rogers pers. comm.). Although this species is assessed as CR, it is must be regarded as functionally extinct in the wild given that cycads are dioecious and require both male and female plants for reproduction. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Limpopo |
Range | It was found in the Steelpoort and Olifants Rivers and adjacent catchment areas in Limpopo Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Poung Dolomite Mountain Bushveld |
Description | This species occurred sparsely, mainly in thick bush on north-facing steep slopes or rocky outcrops. They grew in skeletal soil or no soil, on steep to precipitous slopes in gorges on dolomite. The rainfall ranges from a meagre 375 mm to 750 mm annually. Some plants hung from inaccessible narrow ledges high up in gorges. The vegetation type is referred to as Dolomite Mountain Bushveld. |
Threats |
| This species was decimated due to the activities of collectors which resulted in systematic declines in the known subpopulations. |
Population |
The population of this species experienced rapid decline. Repeat helicopter surveys show numbers dropping from 677 in 1992 to 113 in 2001 (83% decline) and to 81 plants in 2004 (further 28%). S. Rogers (pers. comm.) from the Limpopo Provincial Government reported in 2006 that the species might be extinct in the wild as poaching had continued after 2004. Surveys in 2008 and then again in 2012 failed to locate any plants. Experts consulted during development of a management plan for the species agreed that it was most likely Extinct in the Wild but this needs to be confirmed by further surveys as there may be one remaining individual (S. Rogers pers. comm.).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Encephalartos inopinus R.A.Dyer | CR A2acd; B1ab(i,ii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iv,v); C1+2a(i) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Encephalartos inopinus R.A.Dyer | Endangered | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Encephalartos inopinus R.A.Dyer | Endangered | 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.
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.
Mucina, L. and Rutherford, M.C. (eds). 2006. The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Osborne, R. 1992. Focus on Encephalartos inopinus. Encephalartos 31:4-8.
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 |
| Donaldson, J.S. & Rodgers, S. 2020. Encephalartos inopinus R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/14 |
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