Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Frithia pulchra N.E.Br.
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
AIZOACEAE
Common Names
Fairy Elephant's-feet (e)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Rare
Assessment Date
2016/09/30
Assessor(s)
M.F. Pfab, J.E. Victor & N. Hahn
Justification
A range-restricted (EOO 325 km²), but locally abundant species that is not threatened.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Gauteng, North West
Range
Magaliesberg.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld
Description
Coarse, shallow, quartzitic soils on sandstones.
Threats
This species is potentially threatened by collection for horticultural purposes - it has been recorded in trade. However, since the population is large (estimated 20 000 - 40 000 mature individuals), and the species is also fairly fast growing (generation time estimated 3-5 years), it is not currently suspected to be in danger of extinction.
Population

Firthia pulchra has a restricted range, but is locally abundant. It occurs as one large, continuous population along the Magaliesberg. The population size is estimated to be between 20 000-40 000 mature individuals, and is not declining.


Population trend
Stable
Conservation
Most of this species' habitat is protected in provincial and private conservancies.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Frithia pulchra N.E.Br.Rare Raimondo et al. (2009)
Frithia pulchra N.E.Br.VU D2Pfab and Victor (2002)
Frithia pulchra N.E.Br.Rare Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Frithia pulchra N.E.Br.Rare Hall et al. (1980)
Bibliography

Burtt Davy, J. 1926. A manual of the flowering plants and ferns of the Transvaal with Swaziland, South Africa. Part I. Pteridophyta to Bombacaceae. Longmans, Green and Co. Ltd., London.


Hahn, N. 2013. Rare, endangered and endemic flora of the North West Province. Unpublished Report to the Department of Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism, North West Provincial Government.


Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Pfab, M.F. and Victor, J.E. 2002. Threatened plants of Gauteng, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 68:370-375.


Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Citation
Pfab, M.F., Victor, J.E. & Hahn, N. 2016. Frithia pulchra N.E.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/16

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Distribution map


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