CR

Venda Cycad

Encephalartos hirsutus

Declining

Overview

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

Encephalartos hirsutus faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, where mature specimens can command extremely high prices. The species' naturally fragmented populations in the Lebombo Mountains are further threatened by habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and overgrazing by livestock. Mining activities and infrastructure development have destroyed several known subpopulations, while the species' extremely slow growth rate makes recovery from disturbances nearly impossible.

Threat summary

Habitat

This cycad species is endemic to the Lebombo Mountains along the border between South Africa and Swaziland, where it grows on rocky slopes and cliff faces in grassland and savanna environments. It typically occurs at elevations between 300-800 meters in areas with well-drained soils and seasonal rainfall patterns.

Shrubland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionHabitat & natural process restorationLegislation

Other threatened species in ZAMIACEAE

CR

Encephalartos macrostrobilus

Declining
EN

Zamia splendens

Declining
CR

Zamia wallisii

Declining
CR

Zamia lucayana

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Venda Cycad classified as Critically Endangered?
Venda Cycad is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Encephalartos hirsutus faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, where mature specimens can command extremely high prices. The species' naturally fragmented populations in the Lebombo Mountains are further threatened by habitat degradation from agricultural expansion and overgrazing by livestock. Mining activities and infrastructure development have destroyed several known subpopulations, while the species' extremely slow growth rate makes recovery from disturbances nearly impossible.
Where does Venda Cycad live?
Venda Cycad occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Venda Cycad?
The main threats to Venda 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.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.