|
Scientific Name | Encephalartos caffer (Thunb.) Lehm. |
Higher Classification | Gymnosperms |
Family | ZAMIACEAE |
Common Names | Bosjesmansbrood (a), Breadfruit Tree (e), Breadtree (e), Broodboom (a), Dwarf Cycad (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened A2cd; B2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/27 |
Assessor(s) | J.D. Bösenberg & J.S. Donaldson |
Justification | This is a widespread species that is difficult to assess due to its low growth form and it is easily missed in surveys. Based on repeat photographs, the species appears to have declined in some areas by about 20% in the past 60 years. The decline may be higher based on clearing of habitat for agricultural purposes and suspected continuing removal of plants from the wild and is currently estimated as 25%. It also has a restricted area of occupancy (<1,000 km2), which could qualify it as threatened under criterion B2, but the number of locations is >10. Therefore, it is assessed as Near Threatened under criteria A2 and B2. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | This species is found mainly in the Eastern Cape province and in an isolated subpopulation in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The species seems to consist of numerous isolated subpopulations across its range. It has been recorded from 300 to 700 m asl.
In the Eastern Cape it has been recorded from multiple locations extending from Humansdorp in the south, then northwards to areas in the Albany district and continuing northwards to an area near Kentani, just across the Great Kei river and possibly up to Willowvale. Inland it occurs north-east of Stutterheim. Still further to the north, a small subpopulation is found in the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal province. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Albany Thicket, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, Savanna |
Description | It typically grows in grassland but can also occur in thicket when grasslands are not burnt frequently. It is often found growing among rocks. |
Threats |
| The habitat of Encephalartos caffer is somewhat threatened as a result of clearing for agricultural purposes. This species has also been affected due to over-collecting for ornamental purposes. |
Population |
This is a widespread species that is difficult to assess due to its low growth form and it is easily missed in surveys. The population seems to comprise of numerous isolated subpopulations. It is estimated that there may be 10,000 to 30,000 mature individuals in the wild.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Encephalartos caffer (Thunb.) Lehm. | NT A2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Encephalartos caffer (Thunb.) Lehm. | VU B1B2abcD1D2 | Scott-Shaw (1999) | | Encephalartos caffer (Thunb.) Lehm. | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Encephalartos caffer (Thunb.) Lehm. | 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.
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
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.
Kemp, M. 1985. Focus on Encephalartos caffer. Encephalartos 3:6-11.
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.
Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg.
|
Citation |
| Bösenberg, J.D. & Donaldson, J.S. 2020. Encephalartos caffer (Thunb.) Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/13 |
Comment on this assessment
