Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Babiana ambigua (Roem. & Schult.) G.J.Lewis
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
IRIDACEAE
Synonyms
Babiana obliqua E.Phillips
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2021/02/08
Assessor(s)
L. von Staden & T. Patel
Justification
This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 87 137 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 464 km². It has more than 100 known subpopulations. Although some subpopulations in low-lying coastal areas are threatened by development and alien invasive encroachment, this species is too widespread and still too common, with many subpopulations occurring in safe mountainous habitats, to be in danger of extinction. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Northern Cape, Western Cape
Range
It is endemic and widespread in south-western South Africa. It is found from the Gifberg southwards to the Cape Peninsula, and eastwards along the coast to Riversdale.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Fynbos
Description
Its habitat is variable, including deep coastal sands in strandveld, rocky sandstone mountain slopes and flats in fynbos and renosterveld on granite.
Threats
Although this species has lost 49% of its habitat (calculated using landcover data in GIS), and some subpopulations in low-lying coastal areas are threatened by urban and agricultural development and alien invasive encroachment, it remains widespread and is still very common, with many subpopulations occurring in safe mountainous habitats to be in danger of extinction.
Population

The population is widespread, and many subpopulations are large, the exact number of individuals is unknown.


Population trend
Stable
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Babiana ambigua (Roem. & Schult.) G.J.LewisLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Babiana obliqua E.PhillipsInsufficiently Known Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Babiana obliqua E.PhillipsUncertain Hall et al. (1980)
Bibliography

Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.


Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2007. A revision of the southern African genus Babiana, Iridaceae, Crocoideae. Strelitzia 18:1-97. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2013. IRIDACEAE: Taxonomic notes on Aristea (Aristeoideae) in tropical and eastern southern Africa. Bothalia 43(2):207-211.


Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


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.


Lewis, G.J. 1959. The genus Babiana. Journal of South African Botany Supplement 3:1-149.


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
von Staden, L. & Patel, T. 2021. Babiana ambigua (Roem. & Schult.) G.J.Lewis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/16

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Distribution map

© A. Marais

© J.C. Manning


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