Verification is the product, not a badge
Cycad values depend on accurate identification. Cycad Central provides an independent verification service that connects each submission with qualified cycad experts who have no financial interest in the sale. Every verification is recorded permanently against the plant, creating a trusted identification record that can follow the plant throughout its history.
The process
Step 1
Seller submits the file
Species, standardised measurements, provenance and the five required photo angles.
Step 2
The engine matches experts
Experts are ranked by tier, species speciality, province, reliability score, workload and response time. Sellers can never pick their own assessor.
Step 3
Independent assessment
Each expert confirms or corrects the species, checks the measurements, rates photo sufficiency and records a confidence score with a signed no-conflict declaration.
Step 4
Consensus decides
Unanimous approval verifies the plant. A split decision escalates to a higher tier. Unanimous decline sends the listing back to draft with expert notes.
Step 5
Cycad Certificate issued
A verified plant receives a permanent certificate recording species, verification reference and every ownership transfer.
Scrutiny scales with value
| Declared value | Minimum tier | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under R5 000 | Contributor | 1 assessment | Fast-track for seedlings and small plants. |
| R5 000 – R50 000 | Specialist | 1 assessment | Species and measurement confirmation. |
| R50 000 – R250 000 | Specialist | 2 independent assessments | Both experts must agree. |
| R250 000+ | Senior expert | 2 senior assessments | Escalates to panel review on disagreement. |
What it costs
The expert fee is 2% of the declared value, with a R 150 minimum and R 5 000 cap, paid by the buyer on a verified sale. Cycad Central charges sellers a 5% platform commission. Experts are paid from the expert fee.
Compliance is yours
Many Encephalartos species are protected. Sellers confirm they hold the required permits before a listing goes live, and experts flag provenance concerns in their assessment. Verification confirms identity and condition — it is not a permit.
The verification panel
Experts are matched to submissions by tier, species speciality, province and track record. Reliability rises with confirmed verifications and falls with disputes or overturned calls.
Apply to assess verifications
The matching engine only sends you submissions for the cycads you select here.