This tree is endemic to a small coastal portion of the Eastern Cape in South Africa.

[2] Umtiza listeriana is found from East London to Kentani and King William's Town,[2] with an EOO of 2,626 km2 (1,014 sq mi) at 6 known locations.

[2] In 2020, an area of 1,858.48 ha (4,592.4 acres) surrounding the Umtiza Nature Reserve (one of the last refuges of Umtiza) was declared a Controlled Forest Area to further protect and rehabilitate the remaining Umtiza Forest.

[3] Umtiza listeriana is threatened by the expansion of illegal settlements near the Umtiza Forest, leading to deforestation[3] and harvesting for traditional medicine.

[2] For these reasons SANBI has given it the conservation classification: Vulnerable B1ab(v).