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Scientific Name | Geissorhiza lithicola Goldblatt |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened D2 |
Assessment Date | 2023/11/21 |
Assessor(s) | P. Goldblatt, L. von Staden & T. Patel |
Justification | This is a rare and localized species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 200 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 28 km². It is known from five subpopulations and is potentially threatened by competition from alien invasive plants. Therefore, it is listed as Near Threatened, almost meeting criteria D to be listed as Vulnerable. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | A Western Cape endemic that occurs in the Kogelberg and Hottentots-Holland mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos |
Description | It grows on rocky lower slopes, 50-200 m and flowers only after fire. |
Threats |
| This species has lost 18% of its habitat (calculated using landcover data in GIS). The Kogelberg and Steenbras Mountains are subjected to too frequent fires - these mountains have burnt at least three times within a decade (normal fire cycles are 15-20 years). This geophyte is however unlikely to be negatively affected by too frequent fires. Its habitat is well-protected, and it is unlikely to suffer habitat loss. Alien invasive pines are present in small stands on the upper slopes of the Steenbras Mountains around the Steenbras Dam, and could potentially invade this species' habitat on the slopes below in future, if left unmanaged. |
Population |
It is apparently very rare and localized, and it has been recorded only a few times. All known subpopulations occur within protected areas, and the population is stable.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Geissorhiza lithicola Goldblatt | VU D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Geissorhiza lithicola Goldblatt | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P. 1985. Systematics of the southern African genus Geissorhiza (Iridaceae-Ixioideae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 72(2):277-447.
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. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
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.
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Citation |
| Goldblatt, P., von Staden, L. & Patel, T. 2023. Geissorhiza lithicola Goldblatt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/09/14 |
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