Once abundant all over the world, the rare cycad plant is now considered a luxury status symbol. As a result, the species is being poached to the brink of extinction.
Expensive watches and flashy sportscars are sure fire ways to exhibit your financial success to the world β but how about planting a tree in your front garden?
More specifically, what if it was the worldβs longest surviving seed-bearing plant? The cycad. Today, cycad trees are viewed as a symbol of affluence and wisdom, causing collectors in South Africa to hoard them in their gardens for clout.
Cycads are highly respected in the botanic world as they survived the dinosaur extinction, five ice ages, and continuously adapted their size to compete with new, emerging forms of plant life. They have a similar, pleasing appearance to palm trees, but are in fact an entirely different species of their own.
This might sound alluring, but donβt go searching for a distributor just yet. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime has reported that cycad trees are being collected in numbers so high that they have become the most endangered organism on Earth.
Over the last 20 years, at least 15,000 rare cycads have been illegally traded at a market value of $600million. The GIATOC has warned that cycads are currently being βpoachedβ in a similar way to rhinos and elephants in other parts of Africa.
At present, South Africa is home to 38 species of the plant, of which just 10 can be found in other countries.
But already, three species of cycad have completely disappeared from South Africaβs natural landscape β a sharp contrast to the treeβs known history. Over 200 million years ago, the cycad species was abundant in nature, present everywhere from Greenland to Antarctica.
During the Jurassic period, you could expect to see winged dinosaurs to swoop between their leaves, as a bigger dinosaur stood below eating them as a tasty snack. In fact, cycads made up about 20 percent of the planetβs botanic species back then.
Like most plant and animal species being driven to the brink of extinction, ancient cycads have become endangered as a result of human interference despite their legendary ability to overcome challenges presented by nature.
Sellers are entering the poorest villages in South Africa to exploit locals, offering them miniscule prices for plants that will go on to sell for thousands of dollars. The cycadβs ability to go for weeks without water enables it to be transported easily to overseas buyers for an even higher price.
Keeping up with poachersβ activities is not realistic for the species. The National Geographic has named one cycad in London the βloneliest plant in the worldβ because the species is unable to reproduce alone.
When the plants are mature enough to reproduce, they grow a giant cone filled with pollen or seeds. By radiating heat and sweet odours to pollinators β birds, bats, insects, and previously dinosaurs β the plant signals it is ready to fertilise a mate.
As a result of being removed from their natural habitats, many cycads have become isolated and unable to have their seeds or pollen transferred to a nearby plant. This forced separation has caused the number of cycads in the wild to fall rapidly.
To preserve the ancient tree, South Africaβs National Botanic Garden is working to protect one of the rarest cycad species. In 2014, the national garden had 24 of its cycads stolen in a raid, leading groundsmen to install protective enclosures around the plants.
On top of conservation efforts, punishment for the illicit cycad trade has been ramped up by local governments. Collectors have been fined, poachers have been imprisoned, and some convicted landowners have been ordered to donate their cycads to conservation groups.
At first glance, you may be inclined to think: well, itβs just a tree.
But acknowledging that the cycad species existed long before the dinosaurs and adapted to surviving into the present β itβs impossible to ignore the value in ensuring they remain protected and respected.
Iβm Jessica (She/Her). Iβm the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
The term seasonal depression is on the rise in social media, but what is seasonal depression? What can we do to manage our winter blues and summer sadness?
Seasonal affective disorder or SAD is a type of mental health challenge similar to depression. The chief difference is it fluctuates in line with weather patterns.
Although most commonly related to the winter season, people can experience seasonal depression in winter...
Pashmina, a symbol of Kashmirβs cultural heritage, has long been revered for its unmatched craftsmanship. But today, its legacy is under threat as fake pashminas flood the market, casually worn as head scarves or rave accessories.
How did a centuries-old tradition become a victim of commodification - and what can we do to honor its true roots?
Iβm sure youβve heard of pashmina. How could anyone not?
After all, fashion influencers...
Kenya has been gripped by a chilling wave of abductions targeting young people, particularly Gen Z, whose voices have been at the forefront of activism and dissent.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) report, more than 85 young Kenyans have been abducted, with 29 still missing and some confirmed dead - since the Gen Z led protests in June last year.
The recent surge in...
Mayor Sadiq Khan has made a bold pledge that rivers across the capital will be swimmable within 10 years. But local authorities are concerned the plan is a threat to public safety.
In 2023, Sir Saqiq Khan announced plans to βturbochargeβ restoring Londonβs rivers and waterways, part of a broader environmental agenda that aims to bring the capital in line with other global cities like Copenhagen and Paris.
Khanβs initiative includes...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok