Encephalartos cerinus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	CYCADOPSIDA	CYCADALES	ZAMIACEAE

Scientific Name:

Encephalartos cerinus

Species Authority:

Lavranos & D.L.Goode

Common Name/s:

English

–

Waxen Cycad

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered A2abcd; B1ab(i,ii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iv,v); C2a(ii) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

Donaldson, J.S.

Reviewer/s:

Agenbag, L. & Bösenberg, J.D.

Contributor/s:

Justification:
The species has declined rapidly since its description (>80%). There are conflicting reports about the number of plants still remaining with some frequently quoted numbers of between 20 and 70 plants in a single locality, whereas other reports suggest the species is Extinct in the Wild. It is listed here as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct in the Wild).

History:

2003	–	Critically Endangered (IUCN 2003)
2003	–	Critically Endangered
1997	–	Endangered (Walter and Gillett 1998)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species is restricted to the Buffelsrivier Valley of central KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Recorded from 500 to 900 m asl.
Countries:	Possibly extinct: South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal)
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

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 remain among rocks in a second locality.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Plants grow mostly on east-facing sheer cliffs. Plants occur in rocky grassy areas with a few shrubs. The locality is hot and dry.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species has been severely affected due to over-collection of plants from the wild for ornamental purposes. As a result, reproductive failure has become the most serious threat that this species is facing.

Major Threat(s):

This species has been severely affected due to over-collection of plants from the wild for ornamental purposes. As a result, reproductive failure has become the most serious threat that this species is facing.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices.

Citation:	Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos cerinus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
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