Encephalartos manikensis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
PLANTAE	TRACHEOPHYTA	CYCADOPSIDA	CYCADALES	ZAMIACEAE

Scientific Name:

Encephalartos manikensis

Species Authority:

(Gilliland) Gilliland

Common Name/s:

English

–

Gorongo Cycad, Gorongowe Cycad

Synonym/s:

Encephalartos gratus subspecies manikensis Gilliland

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable A2acd ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

Donaldson, J.S.

Reviewer/s:

Agenbag, L. & Bösenberg, J.D.

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Although still relatively abundant in some parts of its range, some of the subpopulations have been almost entirely eliminated (e.g. at Elizabethville in Zimbabwe). The uncertain taxonomic status of these subpopulations raises the risk associated with local extinction of some subpopulations due to the impacts of collectors who are keen to have these potentially "new" species in their collections. Listed as Vulnerable on the basis of at least a 30% population decline in the past three generations (mostly in the last 50 years).

History:

2003	–	Vulnerable (IUCN 2003)
2003	–	Vulnerable
1997	–	Rare (Walter and Gillett 1998)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, where most of the plants are found in the highlands of the Mapande Range. In the south from Mount Selinda in Zimbabwe northwards through the Chipinge area , near Mount Nyanyadzi, along the Odzi and Garezi rivers and on to Mount Gorongo (incorrectly named Mount Gorongowe in the literature) and further north to Mount Darwin (Pfura/Fura). The type locality is the Numkwarara (Nyamkwarara) Valley near Mount Gorongo. In Mozambique plants are found near Garuso, Mount Bandula, Mount Chicamba, near Vanduzi and Mount Chinhazanza (Chinyayadze/Chinyazange) near the Pungwe (Pungoe/Pungue) river. Recorded from 600 to 1,400 m asl. There is considerable variation between populations from different sites and this has raised questions about the taxonomy of these populations. Capela (2006) argues that there could be as many as five species but taxonomists have not been able to discern consistent characters to define these possible species.
Countries:	Native: Mozambique; Zimbabwe
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population size of E. manikensis is estimated to be less than 10,000 mature individuals. Some subpopulations are still quite large, especially in Mozambique. However, other subpopulations have declined substantially.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This species is usually found on grassy slopes on large granite inselbergs and also in river valleys in places associated with forests.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	E. manikensis is primarily threatened by the poaching of wild plants for ornamental purposes.

Major Threat(s):

E. manikensis is primarily threatened by the poaching of wild plants for ornamental purposes.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. Populations of E. manikensis occur in the Nyanga National Park in Zimbabwe.

Conservation Actions:

This species is listed on Appendix I of the CITES Appendices. Populations of E. manikensis occur in the Nyanga National Park in Zimbabwe.

Citation:	Donaldson, J.S. 2010. Encephalartos manikensis. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided