Encephalartos schaijesii
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Encephalartos schaijesii faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, as cycads are highly prized by collectors worldwide. The species' extremely limited distribution in the Lebombo Mountains makes entire populations vulnerable to over-harvesting. Habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and human settlement development further threatens the remaining wild populations.
Habitat
This cycad species is endemic to the Lebombo Mountains along the border between South Africa and Swaziland, where it grows in rocky grassland and bushveld habitats. It typically occurs on steep, rocky slopes and cliff faces in areas with well-drained soils.
