Encephalartos dyerianus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Encephalartos dyerianus faces severe population decline due to illegal collection for the horticultural trade, where mature specimens command extremely high prices. The species is further threatened by habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited coastal range. Mining activities and invasive plant species compound these pressures, while the cycad's extremely slow growth rate makes recovery from population losses exceptionally difficult.
Habitat
This cycad is endemic to the coastal regions of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where it grows in coastal grasslands and bushveld on sandy soils. The species typically occurs on gentle slopes and coastal plains at elevations below 200 meters, often in areas with good drainage and partial shade from surrounding vegetation.
