Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Dierama erectum Hilliard
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
IRIDACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)
Assessment Date
2015/05/19
Assessor(s)
I.M. Johnson, C.R. Scott-Shaw, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden
Justification
Known from 11 small, severely fragmented subpopulations at eight locations, in a very small area (EOO 4325 km²). Most subpopulations remain in grassland fragments where they are declining due to overgrazing.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga
Range
Northern KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mpumalanga, between Ngome and Luneburg.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Northern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland, Ithala Quartzite Sourveld, Northern Zululand Mistbelt Grassland, Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland, Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland
Description
Wet mistbelt grassland on dolerite along streams.
Threats
Afforestation has transformed all but a few isolated pockets of its grassland habitat. These fragments are the only available grazing for the livestock of the local populations, and large numbers of animals are concentrated on these small fragments resulting in severe overgrazing and degradation of these grassland fragments (I. Johnson, C.R. Scott-Shaw pers. comm.). Inappropriate fire management is further degrading this species' remaining habitat, with many grassland areas becoming increasingly encroached with woody species.
Population

This species is known from 11 subpopulations, and recent field observations indicate that they are often small, consisting of fewer than 50 mature individuals (I.M. Johnson pers. obs.). Eight of these are isolated, and the population is therefore considered severely fragmented.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Dierama erectum HilliardEN B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)Raimondo et al. (2009)
Dierama erectum HilliardVU Scott-Shaw (1999)
Dierama erectum HilliardEndangered Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Hiern, W.P. 1904. Scrophulariaceae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis IV Section II (Hydrophyllaceae to Pedalineae):121-420. Lovell Reeve & Co., Ltd., London.


Hilliard, O.M. and Burtt, B.L. 1991. Dierama: The hairbells of Africa. Acorn Books, Johannesburg and London.


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.


Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg.


Citation
Johnson, I.M., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2015. Dierama erectum Hilliard. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/02/18

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