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Scientific Name | Babiana sambucina (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. subsp. longibracteata (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
Synonyms | Babiana sambucina (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. var. longibracteata G.J.Lewis |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2021/04/21 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden, D. Raimondo & T. Patel |
Justification | The population of this Northern Cape endemic has been severely fragmented due to extensive past habitat loss to agriculture, and the more than 50% of the population occurs as small isolated stands of fewer than 50 individuals. It remains at approximate 10 locations within an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 455 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 56 km². It continues to decline due to agriculture expansion and alien invasive plants. It is therefore listed as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | It is a narrow endemic to the Bokkeveld Plateau around Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Nardouw Sandstone Fynbos, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on rocky sandstone ground. The flowers are pollinated by bees. Dry capsule splits open allowing the dispersal of seeds. Seeds are dispersed around the parent plant as they are shaken out of the capsules by wind. |
Threats |
| This taxon was threatened by rapid habitat loss as a result of expanding international market for Rooibos tea in past. Large areas of deep sandy soils, formerly unsuitable for traditional agriculture, were being ploughed up for the cultivation of the local endemic, Aspalathus linearis, the source of Rooibos tea. Habitat loss continues at low rate (2% between 1990 and 2014). |
Population |
This taxon has a restricted range, occurring in isolated remnant patches of sandy soils. The majority of subpopulations are small consisting of fewer than 50 individuals. It is currently known from fewer than 20 subpopulations, but surveys may reveal more as there have been seven new subpopulations observed on iNaturalist between 2012 and 2022. A continuing decline of populations is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is not formally protected but may possibly be in Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Babiana sambucina (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. subsp. longibracteata (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning | EN B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. South African National Biodiversity 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.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L., Raimondo, D. & Patel, T. 2021. Babiana sambucina (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. subsp. longibracteata (G.J.Lewis) Goldblatt & J.C.Manning. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/18 |
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