|
Scientific Name | Encephalartos msinganus Vorster |
Higher Classification | Gymnosperms |
Family | ZAMIACEAE |
Common Names | Broodboom (a), Cycad (e), Msinga Cycad (e), Msinga-broodboom (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v); C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/22 |
Assessor(s) | J.D. Bösenberg, J.S. Donaldson & B. Church |
Justification | This species is assessed as Critically Endangered due to its very small extent of occurrence, occurrence in effectively one location, and small population size (max 100-200 plants). Unconfirmed reports indicate that the population has declined further with only a few mature plants remaining in the wild. If confirmed, this species would be functionally extinct in the wild. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | It occurs in a small area in the Msinga district, in the drainage area of the Buffels River, which runs into the Tugela, east of Tugela Ferry, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | KwaZulu-Natal Highland Thornveld |
Description | This species grows in short grassland on steep north-facing slopes, usually amongst boulders in scrub clumps. Plants are less commonly found on sandstone cliff faces, more or less in direct sunlight. Unconfirmed reports suggest that plants growing on different aspects had slight differences in leaf morphology. It occurs at an elevation of 900 to 1,200 m. |
Threats |
| It is severely threatened due to poaching for ornamental purposes. Small cycad populations often experience reproductive failure and it is expected to occur in E. msinganus. Habitat destruction is also a general problem in the area. |
Population |
The population size of E. msinganus was estimated as 100-200 mature individuals. Recent reports (Hurter 2008) suggest that only scattered individuals survive in nature. Plants occur in scattered small clumps along a single ridge.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Encephalartos msinganus Vorster | CR B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C1+2a(ii) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Encephalartos msinganus Vorster | EN A1,B1B2abcde,D1 | Scott-Shaw (1999) | | Encephalartos msinganus Vorster | Endangered | 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. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Hurter, J. 2008. Encephalartos msinganus in danger of extinction. Encephalartos 94:25-27.
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.
vorster, P. 1997. Focus on Encephalartos msinganus. Encephalartos 51:4-9.
|
Citation |
| Bösenberg, J.D., Donaldson, J.S. & Church, B. 2020. Encephalartos msinganus Vorster. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/13 |
Comment on this assessment
