Umtiza

Umtiza is a monotypic genus in the legume family Fabaceae containing the single species Umtiza listeriana. This tree is endemic to a small coastal portion of the Eastern Cape in South Africa.

Distribution

Umtiza listeriana is found from East London to Kentani and King William's Town, with an EOO of at 6 known locations.

Conservation

In 2020, an area of surrounding the Umtiza Nature Reserve was declared a Controlled Forest Area to further protect and rehabilitate the remaining Umtiza Forest. Umtiza listeriana is threatened by the expansion of illegal settlements near the Umtiza Forest, leading to deforestation and harvesting for traditional medicine. For these reasons SANBI has given it the conservation classification: Vulnerable B1ab.