The Highly Coveted Cycad

Cycads are rare endangered plants native to tropical and subtropical regions. Often called living fossils, due to the ancient origin of the genus, cycads are increasingly under threat in the wild from poachers. Cultivated specimens in Botanical Gardens are also targeted. While Hurricane Frances blew across Florida, thieves broke into Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Coral Gables and made off with 33 of the prized plants.

Cycads are long-lived plants - they can live as long as 2500 years. Mature specimens of some rare species have sold for as much as 20,000 USD. Other thefts such as the one at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens have been reported by botanical gardens in recent years (this was not the first loss of cycads at Fairchild).

Poachers are also decimating several species of cycads from wilderness areas in South Africa. A survey of Limpopo province in 1980 found 700 specimens of a particular species. A recent survey, using the same methods, found only 100 remaining.

Conservationist and law-enforcement agencies are looking for ways to stop the losses. Techniques to identify plants using DNA “fingerprints” may help in the future. Presently, authorities are asking the public to be on the lookout for anyone trying to move the cycads. Fairchild is offering a reward for information leading to arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft.

Links:

• Plant Theft at Fairchild While Hurricane Frances Hits South Florida from Botanical Gardens Conservation International


• Rare plants stolen during hurricane in The Miami Herald (requires registration)


• Wild cycads 'being plundered to extinction' in Independent Online


• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden


• Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Press Release with list of plants stolen


• Virtual Cycad Encyclopedia from the Palm and Cycad Societies of Florida, Inc.


• The Cycad Pages from the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 5:34 PM on November 14, 2004

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