Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Cynodon polevansii Stent
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
POACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2016/09/30
Assessor(s)
N. Hahn & L. von Staden
Justification
A widespread (EOO 57 956 km²), but highly localized habitat specialist (AOO <50 km²). There are currently no severe threats to this species and it is not suspected to be in danger of extinction.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Free State, Northern Cape, North West
Range
Lichtenburg to Phillipstown.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Threats
There are no current severe threats to this species, but it is potentially vulnerable to habitat degradation due to overgrazing and trampling, as well as salt mining. These threats are however unlikely to rapidly cause this species to become in danger of extinction.
Population

Cynodon polevansii is a widespread, but highly localized habitat specialist (AOO <50 km²). It is currently known from ten subpopulations, but is possibly easily overlooked and more common than records suggest. The population is not declining.


Population trend
Stable
Notes
De Wet and Harlan (1971) report that C. polevansii readily hybridises with the widespread and common C. dactylon (with which if often co-occurs), and that it should be considered to be only a variety of that species. Fish et al. (2015) state that further collections and research is needed to resolve taxonomic problems in Cynodon. Hahn (2013) indicates that C. polevansii can be readily distinguished from C. dactylon, and doubts that there should be taxonomic uncertainty over the validity of this species.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Cynodon polevansii StentLC 2017.1
Cynodon polevansii StentData Deficient (Taxonomically Problematic) Raimondo et al. (2009)
Cynodon polevansii StentInsufficiently Known Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

De Wet, J.M.J. and Harlan, J.R. 1971. South African species of Cynodon (Gramineae). Journal of South African Botany 37(1):53-56.


Fish, L., Mashau, A.C., Moeaha, M.J. and Nembudani, M.T. 2015. Identification guide to southern African grasses. Strelitzia 36. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


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 Unpublished Report to the Department of Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism, North West Provincial Government.


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


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.


Stent, S.M. 1932. The South African species of Cynodon. Bothalia 2:274-288.


Citation
Hahn, N. & von Staden, L. 2016. Cynodon polevansii Stent. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/02/18

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Distribution map


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