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Scientific Name | Encephalartos cerinus Lavranos & D.L.Goode |
Higher Classification | Gymnosperms |
Family | ZAMIACEAE |
Common Names | Waxen Cycad (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A2acd; B1ab(i,ii,v)+2ab(i,ii,v); C2a(i,ii); D |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/22 |
Assessor(s) | J.D. Bösenberg & J.S. Donaldson |
Justification | The species declined rapidly after its description (>80%) due to targeted collecting. Although there were initially reports of several plants remaining in the wild no definite sightings have been confirmed. The management plan put in place in South Africa recognises that the likely status is Extinct in the Wild but it has an action to undertake further surveys to confirm this status. It is, therefore, classified as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct in the Wild). |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | This species is restricted to the Buffelsrivier Valley of central KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, recorded from 500 to 900 m asl. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Thukela Valley Bushveld |
Description | Plants grow mostly on east-facing sheer cliffs. Plants occur in rocky grassy areas with a few shrubs. The locality is hot and dry. |
Threats |
| This species has been severely affected due to over-collection of plants from the wild for ornamental purposes. The few remaining plants, if any are left, are unlikely to represent a viable population and the species is potentially functionally extinct in the wild. |
Population |
There have been varying reports of the number of plants remaining in the wild. The type population has apparently been completely extirpated (D. Goode pers. comm.) and relatively few plants were known from a second locality. Surveys undertaken by KwaZulu-Natal conservation authorities failed to find any plants (B. Church pers. comm. 2011) but there are unconfirmed reports that 4-5 plants may still exist in the wild.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Encephalartos cerinus Lavranos & D.L.Goode | CR A2acd; B1ab(i,ii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iv,v); C2a(ii) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Encephalartos cerinus Lavranos & D.L.Goode | CR A1acd,B1B2abcde,C2 | Scott-Shaw (1999) | | Encephalartos cerinus Lavranos & D.L.Goode | 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.
Giddy, C. 1992. Focus on Encephalartos cerinus. Encephalartos 32:4-7.
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.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Lavranos, J.J. and Goode, D. 1989. Notes on southern African Cycadales II. Durban Museum Novitates 14(8):153-156.
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.
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Citation |
| Bösenberg, J.D. & Donaldson, J.S. 2020. Encephalartos cerinus Lavranos & D.L.Goode. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/21 |
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