Near Threatened B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)
Assessment Date
2021/04/26
Assessor(s)
J.C. Manning & D. Raimondo
Justification
This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 8 843 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 334 km². This Swartland endemic has lost extensive amounts of its habitat to wheat cultivation and urban expansion of Malmesbury and Darling. The population is declining due to urban and infrastructure expansion. In addition, habitat degradation from alien plant invasion is ongoing. It therefore qualifies for listing as Near Threatened as it almost meets the criteria for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
It is endemic to South Africa, and is found in the Western Cape, extending from Porterville and Piketberg to the Tygerberg near Cape Town.
It occurs mainly on gravelly granitic soils, occasionally sandstone, at low elevations in renosterveld.
Threats
This species has lost 80% of its habitat (calculated using landcover data in GIS). Urban development has had a major impact on the Malmesbury populations where the majority of individuals were. More than 98% was lost in the development of the Skougronde site between 2005 and 2008. Road works are also a threat around Malmesbury. Wheat farming was a severe past threat. Agriculture and invasive alien species are also a threat to this species.
Population
It is known from between 12 and 20 extant subpopulations. The largest is in Malmesbury, where >1 000 individuals were recorded from one observation in 2017. Many of the remaining subpopulations are small however not enough are small and non viable for this species to qualify as severely fragmented. The population is declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Babiana odorata L.Bolus
EN B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)
Raimondo et al. (2009)
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. 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.
Citation
Manning, J.C. & Raimondo, D. 2021. Babiana odorata L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13
Comment on this assessment
