VU

Dwarf Cycad

Encephalartos humilis

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Encephalartos humilis faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, where mature specimens command extremely high prices due to their rarity and slow growth rates. Wild populations are further threatened by habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited coastal range. The species' extremely slow reproductive cycle, taking decades to reach maturity, makes recovery from population losses exceptionally difficult.

Threat summary

Habitat

This cycad species inhabits coastal grasslands and open woodlands in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, typically growing on well-drained sandy soils at low elevations. It occurs in areas with mild coastal climate conditions, often in association with other indigenous vegetation adapted to the region's Mediterranean-type climate.

Grassland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryAwareness & communicationsLegislation

Other threatened species in ZAMIACEAE

CR

Encephalartos macrostrobilus

Declining
EN

Zamia splendens

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CR

Zamia wallisii

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CR

Zamia lucayana

Unknown

Threatened in South Africa

VU

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EN

Black-Spotted Blue

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Cape GannetEN

Cape Gannet

Morus capensis

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Scarce BlackneckCR

Scarce Blackneck

Lygephila craccae

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Dwarf Cycad classified as Vulnerable?
Dwarf Cycad is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Encephalartos humilis faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, where mature specimens command extremely high prices due to their rarity and slow growth rates. Wild populations are further threatened by habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited coastal range. The species' extremely slow reproductive cycle, taking decades to reach maturity, makes recovery from population losses exceptionally difficult.
Where does Dwarf Cycad live?
Dwarf Cycad occurs in South Africa. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Dwarf Cycad?
The main threats to Dwarf Cycad are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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