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Scientific Name | Cyclopia intermedia E.Mey. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
Synonyms | Cyclopia aurea Fourc., Cyclopia brachypoda Benth. var. intermedia (E.Mey.) Hofmeyr & E.Phillips, Cyclopia subternata Hofmeyr & E.Phillips, Cyclopia vogelii Harv., Cyclopia vogelii Harv. var. intermedia (E.Mey.) Harv. |
Common Names | Bergtee (a), Kouga Honeybush-tea (e), Kougabergtee (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B2b(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2022/10/26 |
Assessor(s) | N.N. Mhlongo, A.L. Schutte-Vlok & D. Raimondo |
Justification | This is the most widespread species in the genus Cyclopia, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 28 585 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 548 km². It is found in more than 50 locations and is threatened by encroachment by invasive alien species, harvesting for the honeybush tea industry, and habitat loss due to urban and agricultural expansions. Therefore, it qualifies as Near Threatened under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, where it occurs from the Witteberg and Langeberg to Van Stadens Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in mountain fynbos on sandstone slopes. |
Threats |
| This species is experiencing a decline primarily due to the overharvesting of wild plants for the honeybush tea industry, constituting 85% of the commercially wild-harvested honeybush crop (Ackhurst et al., 2022; McGregor, 2017). Propagation of this species is challenging, and a significant portion of the tea trade relies on wild-harvested products (McGregor, 2017). Reports indicate illegal harvesting (poaching) of leaves and branches for tea in various regions. Populations, particularly in the Langkloof, Tsitsikamma, and Kouga mountain ranges, have been documented as declining. Although there has been a longstanding trade in honeybush, the honeybush tea industry has gradually declined since 2012, with exported volumes plummeting from 300 tons to only 100 tons in 2021 (Gerrie Ferreira, pers. Comm 2022).
The expansion of housing developments and agricultural activities into areas occupied by this species has further contributed to the decline of wild populations. However, it's noteworthy that only 9% of the species' habitat has been transformed due to these pressures, calculated using GIS. Another significant threat to this species is the encroachment of invasive alien species such as black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and pine (Pinus sp.), which shade out sunlight and negatively impact indigenous plants like honeybush (Ackhurst et al., 2022). |
Population |
The population is suspected to be declining, primarily due to harvesting for the honeybush tea industry. The extent of the decline is currently unknown but is estimated to be less than 10%. Additional factors such as encroachment by invasive alien species and habitat loss may contribute to further declines. Despite these challenges, the species remains abundant, with over 130 observations recorded on iNaturalist.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cyclopia intermedia E.Mey. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Acocks, J.P.H. 1990. Acocks' Notes: Key grasses of South Africa. Compiled by P.J.K. Zacharias. Grassland Society of Southern Africa, Howick.
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.
McGregor, G.K. 2017. Industry review: An overview of the Honeybush industry. Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Cape Town.
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.
Schutte, A.L. 1997. Systematics of the genus Cyclopia Vent. (Fabaceae, Podalyrieae). Edinburgh Journal of Botany 54(2):125-170.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation |
| Mhlongo, N.N., Schutte-Vlok, A.L. & Raimondo, D. 2022. Cyclopia intermedia E.Mey. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/23 |
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