Assessor: Sarah Schumann
All South African cycads as well as this species is included in Appendix I of the CITES Convention which lists all species threatened with extinction that are, or may be affected by trade. According to the SANBI Red List Assessment, this species is Near Threatened as it is threatened by over-collecting for ornamental, medicinal purposes and habitat destruction (Donaldson 2009; Donaldson 2003). Studies present strong evidence of ongoing and accelerating rates of decline in most cycad species due mainly to illegal removal (Okubamichael et al. 2016; Cousins & Witkowski 2017). Cycad species are in trade demand and at risk from illegal collection (Smith 2014; Yeld 2014). Research shows that this species is among the 25 of 37 Encephalartos species that is being utilised for traditional medicine (Cousins, 2012). Repeat photography show the impact of bark harvesting on individuals (Okubamichael et al. 2016). The CITES Trade Database has recorded the trade of the species from 1979-2019 for commercial, personal, artificial propagation, scientific, educational, travelling exhibition and botanical garden purposes. Sourced from artificial propagation, and taken from the wild. Although the species is common and abundant there has been an estimated 20% decline in population over the last 90 years and if the decline continues the species will be upgraded to Vulnerable conservation status (Donaldson 2009).
CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.
Cousins, S.R., Williams, V.L., & Witkowski, E.T.F. 2012. Uncovering the cycad taxa (Encephalartos species) traded for traditional medicine in Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany, 78, 129–138. DOI:10.1016/j.sajb.2011.06.001
Cousins, S.R. and Witkowski, E.T.F., 2017. African cycad ecology, ethnobotany and conservation: a synthesis. The Botanical Review, 83(2), pp.152-194.Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Cycads. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, UK.
Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos friderici-guilielmi Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Okubamichael, D. Y., S. L. Jack, J. D. Bösenberg, M. T. Hoffman & J. S. Donaldson. 2016. Repeat photography confirms alarming decline in south African cycads. Biodiversity Conservation 25(11): 2153–2170.
Smith, D. 2014. 1 September 2014. South Africa's ancient cycad plants under threat from poachers. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/01/ancient-cycad-plants-under-threat-poachers
Yeld, J. 2014. 7 August 2014. Cycad thieves strike again. IOL. Available at: https://www.iol.co.za/news/cycad-thieves-strike-again-1731799
According to the IUCN Red List, there are between 5000-10 000 mature individuals remaining in the wild (Donaldson 2010).
Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos friderici-guilielmi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T41930A10602801. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41930A10602801
Mature individuals are removed from the wild causing population decline (Donaldson 2009). The CITES Trade Database has recorded the trade of live individuals and seeds.
Donaldson, J.S. 2009. Encephalartos friderici-guilielmi Lehm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.
It is not likely that this taxon's entire extant population can be removed (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December). Although this species is known to be exploited, as it does not have a vulnerable population recruitment and recovery may be possible.