Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Palmboom, Pondo-kokospalm, Pondopalm, Pondo palm, Dwarf palm, Mkambati palm, Pondo coconut, Pondoland coconut, iKomba, Inkomba

Family: Arecaceae (Palm)

Distribution: Eastern Cape

Habitat: Pondoland coastal forest

National red list: Endangered

Life form: Palm

Comments: This palm has a very limited distribution, only occurring on steep cliffs next to rivers in the Pondoland region. It is known from only two small subpopulations, one of which doesn't occur in a protected area. It is most likely the only survivor of the original, prehistoric palm flora that used to occur in Southern Africa until about 3 million years ago. This plant is currently threatened by overharvesting for the horticultural trade as well as for a food source. It is now protected by the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), which prohibits any trade and harvesting of endangered species.