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Scientific Name | Freesia fergusoniae L.Bolus |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
Common Names | Riversdale Freesia (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2021/09/27 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo, P. Goldblatt, L. von Staden & T. Patel |
Justification | This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 8994 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 204 km². Twenty one severely fragmented subpopulations remain after 73% of its habitat has been transformed and fragmented, predominantly due to agricultural expansion. It continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criteria B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | It is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it is found from Swellendam to Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Mossel Bay Shale Renosterveld, Eastern Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Ruens Silcrete Renosterveld, Central Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Garden Route Shale Fynbos, Swellendam Silcrete Fynbos, Montagu Shale Renosterveld, Garden Route Granite Fynbos, Potberg Ferricrete Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in clay soils in renosterveld. |
Threats |
| 73% of this species' habitat is already transformed (calculated using landcover data in GIS), predominantly for crop cultivation, resulting in the fragmentation and isolation of renosterveld vegetation, and loss is ongoing. Remaining fragments are often overstocked with livestock, and severe overgrazing is causing ongoing degradation of remaining habitat. Some subpopulations are also threatened by urban expansion, competition from alien invasive plants and too infrequent fire: this species does not flower in very old, senescent renosterveld, but fire is often excluded from small fragments. |
Population |
Eleven out of 18 recorded subpopulations are from small, isolated fragments and roadside verges, and therefore the population is considered severely fragmented. A continuing population decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation. 20 plants were observed in a 10x10 meter otach in 2017, while another observation noted 5 plants in a 5x5 patch both near Aalyndal. 10-50 plants were observed in a subpopulation near Herbertsdale road in 2014.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Freesia fergusoniae L.Bolus | VU B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) | 2020.1 | | Freesia fergusoniae L.Bolus | VU B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | 2012.1 | | Freesia fergusoniae L.Bolus | VU B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P. 1982. Systematics of Freesia Klatt (Iridaceae). Journal of South African Botany 48(1):39-91.
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.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2010. Botany and horticulture of the genus Freesia. Strelitzia 27:1-114. 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 |
| Raimondo, D., Goldblatt, P., von Staden, L. & Patel, T. 2021. Freesia fergusoniae L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/06/23 |
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