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Scientific Name | Babiana lobata G.J.Lewis |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2021/04/29 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo, P. Goldblatt & P.C.V. Van Wyk |
Justification | This species is rare, range-restricted, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1 031 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 40 km². It is known from between five and ten locations, all subpopulations are small with fewer than 10 plants and isolated from one another. The total population is estimated to number fewer than 1000 mature individuals, is severely fragmented and is declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It is therefore listed as Endangered under criteria B and C. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | It is endemic to South Africa, and is found in the Richtersveld, extending from Armanshoek to the Stinkfontein Mountains in the Northern Cape. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Vyftienmyl se Berge Succulent Shrubland, Central Richtersveld Mountain Shrubland |
Description | It occurs on rocky lower slopes and flats. |
Threats |
| Severe overstocking of communal rangelands in the Richtersveld is causing ongoing loss and degradation in the area. In the northern part of this species' range, overgrazing and trampling has reduced shrub cover, and exposed soils are eroding away on some of the steeper slopes, causing irreversible loss and degradation of this species' habitat. Erosion has been observed to be directly impacting at least two subpopulations. Erosion has intensified between 2015 and 2021 as a result of the prolonged drought that has taken place in the Richtersveld (2016-2021). Climate change related severe winds have accompanied this drought and resulted in regular sandstorms and large scale shifting of sands. A number of the former subpopulations may have been lost but additional monitoring is required to confirm this. This species is also under threat from mining and agriculture, which are both ongoing severe threats. |
Population |
Subpopulations are small (less than 10 plants) and localized. It has been recorded from eight disjunct subpopulations, some of which may have gone extinct since 2016 as a result of ongoing and severe erosion and movement of sands. The population is considered severely fragmented and is declining. From its earliest record in 1937 to its latest in 2014, it has been recorded as rare.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Babiana lobata G.J.Lewis | EN B1ab(iii,v) | 2015.1 | | Babiana lobata G.J.Lewis | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Babiana lobata G.J.Lewis | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Babiana lobata G.J.Lewis | Uncertain | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P. 1983. Babiana lobata. Flowering Plants of Africa 47(3-4):t. 1866.
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.
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.
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Citation |
| Raimondo, D., Goldblatt, P. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2021. Babiana lobata G.J.Lewis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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