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 states, this species is Critically Endangered as it is majorly threatened by over-collecting for ornamental purposes and medicinal use resulting in reproductive failure (Donaldson 2010; Donaldson 2003). It is extinct throughout most of its original geographic extent with only a few individuals remaining in the wild and has declined by 80% in the past 50 years (Donaldson 2010). Population decline is high and habitat destruction is moderate (Donaldson 2003). Cycad species are in trade demand and at risk from illegal collection (Smith 2014; Yeld 2014). Studies present strong evidence of ongoing and accelerating rates of decline in most cycad species due mainly to illegal removal and this is especially evident with endangered and critically endangered Encephalartos species (Okubamichael et al. 2016; Cousins & Witkowski 2017). Research by Cousins (2012) shows that this species is among the 25 of 37 Encephalartos species that is being utilised for traditional medicine. The CITES Trade Database recorded the trade of the species for commercial, personal, scientific purposes. Sourced from artificial propagation between 1986-2019.
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. 2010. Encephalartos cupidus R.A.Dyer. 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
The known extent occurrence is 20 km² and area of occupancy is 10 km² (Donaldson 2010). Currently there are 50 plants remaining in the wild (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December)
Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos cupidus R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos cupidus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T41884A10567684. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T41884A10567684.en.
According to the CITES Trade Database, mature individuals, seeds and leaves are known to be collected and traded. Threat of illegal removal of individuals have caused population decline (Donaldson 2010; Donaldson 2003).
CITES trade statistics derived from the CITES Trade Database, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK.
Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Cycads. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, UK.
Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos cupidus R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Research shows that cycads are generally long-lived, have slow growth rates, produce low numbers of offspring and have infrequent recruitment (Golding & Hurter 2003, Donaldson 2003, Cousins & Witkowski 2017). All groups of Encephalartos experience population decline from removal of adult plants (Donaldson 1995) .Viable seed production in Encephalartos populations tends to decline with decreasing population size (Cousins & Witkowksi 2017). Due to the ongoing over-collection, low number of individuals and restricted range this species has lost majority of its population (Donaldson 2010). The remaining population of this species occurs in a private nature reserve (Bösenberg. DW, personal communication 2021, 1 December), making it highly vulnerable to further population loss were exploitation to occur on this site too. Recruitment and recovery may be poor.
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., 1995. Understanding cycad life histories, an essential basis for successful conservation. In: Donaldson, J.S. (Ed.), Cycad Conservation in South Africa, Issues, Priorities and Actions. The Cycad Society of South Africa, Stellenbosch, pp. 8–13.
Donaldson, J.S. 2003. Cycads. Status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland; Cambridge, UK.
Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos cupidus R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1.
Golding, J.S. and Hurter, P.J.H., 2003. A Red List account of Africa's cycads and implications of considering life-history and threats. Biodiversity & Conservation, 12(3), pp.507-528.