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Scientific Name | Sparaxis fragrans (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
Synonyms | Gladiolus odorus Schrank (later homonym), not of Salisb. (1796), Ixia fragrans Jacq., Ixia sordida Hornem., Romulea fragrans (Jacq.) Eckl., Synnotia stenophylla Baker |
Common Names | Stinky Satinflower (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2021/09/14 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo, I. Ebrahim, L. von Staden & T. Patel |
Justification | This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 854 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 124 km². It has already lost 72% of its habitat. Between six and 12 remaining subpopulations are severely fragmented and continue to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, as well as competition from alien invasive plants. It is therefore listed as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | It is endemic to the Caledon District in southwestern Western Cape, South Africa, and is found from Bot River and Villiersdorp in the west to the eastern end of the Caledon Swarteberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Western Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Greyton Shale Fynbos, Elgin Shale Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in clay flats and slopes, usually waterlogged in the winter months. |
Threats |
| This species has lost 72% of its habitat (calculated using landcover data in GIS) after extensive crop cultivation, this loss continues. All known remaining subpopulations occur on small fragments, where they are subjected to ongoing habitat degradation. Fragments are often areas that are too steep or rocky for ploughing, but these sites are then used for livestock grazing and regularly overstocked. Many remaining subpopulations are also in sites densely infested with unmanaged alien invasive plants. The disappearance of specialist pollinators from small isolated fragments is also concerning. |
Population |
Extensive habitat loss has fragmented its population into small, isolated subpopulations. Recent field observations at three of the six known remaining subpopulations indicate that they are small, the largest consisting of fewer than 100 mature individuals. Notes on herbarium records also indicate that it is uncommon. Some historical localities where habitat still remains need to be surveyed to determine if subpopulations are still extant, and to record their size. Further surveys may confirm the existence of up to 12 subpopulations, but all are likely to be confined to small and isolated remnants. Less than 10 plants were reported in Welgemoed farm in 2020. In the Overberg District, less than 50 plants were recorded in 2020. Less than 50 plants were recorded in Caledon vliegveld in 2008. Less than 2 and less than 50 plants were observed in Porcupine Hills in 2006. One plant was reported in 2006 in Fairfields in a burnt patch.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Sparaxis fragrans (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. | EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) | 2015.1 | | Sparaxis fragrans (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. | VU C2a(i) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Sparaxis fragrans (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
De Vos, M.P. 1999. Ixia. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 7 Iridaceae Part 2: Ixioideae, Fascicle 1: Ixieae:3-87. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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. 2013. Systematics and biology of the Cape genus Sparaxis (Iridaceae). Strelitzia 32. 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 |
| Raimondo, D., Ebrahim, I., von Staden, L. & Patel, T. 2021. Sparaxis fragrans (Jacq.) Ker Gawl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/19 |
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