|
Scientific Name | Cylindrophyllum calamiforme (L.) Schwantes |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Cylindrophyllum dyeri L.Bolus, Mesembryanthemum calamiforme L. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2018/05/23 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Cylindrophyllum calamiforme is a range-restricted and apparently rare species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 4 452 km². Its distribution range remains botanically poorly explored, and it may be overlooked due to taxonomic confusion. It is not suspected to be in danger of extinction at present, but may be impacted by shale gas extraction in future. It is listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape |
Range | Due to taxonomic uncertainty, the distribution range of this species is not well known. It is possibly endemic to the arid interior of the Eastern Cape in South Africa, from Graaff-Reinet to Somerset East and southwards to Willowmore and Jansenville. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Escarpment Arid Thicket, Eastern Gwarrieveld, Eastern Lower Karoo |
Description | It grows in stony slopes and flats of karoo sediments in arid thicket vegetation. |
Threats |
| There are currently no severe threats to this species, but it occurs in an area earmarked for large-scale shale gas extraction. Subpopulations on flats would be most vulnerable to habitat loss to infrastructure development related to fracking, and this species could decline in future if fracking goes ahead. A Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment submitted to South Africa's Department of Environment Affairs in 2016 cautioned against moving ahead with shale gas fracking, based on the very high infrastructure costs associated with fracking as well as multiple secondary negative impacts both to biodiversity and other economic activities in the region. Furthermore, subsequent geological studies found that gas deposits are not as substantial as originally suspected, due to the very old age of the Karoo shale formations and the fact that the extensive number of dolerite intrusions throughout the Karoo have resulted in much of the gas being lost. At present, future development scenarios are too uncertain to estimate the potential extent of the impact on the population. At this stage it seems unlikely that shale gas extraction will proceed in the near future. |
Population |
The population size and structure of Cylindrophyllum calamiforme is not known. Notes on collected specimens indicate that it is rare. The population trend is not known, but is suspected to be stable.
|
Population trend | Unknown |
Notes |
| Cylindrophyllum is a poorly known genus in need of taxonomic revision (Chesselet et al. 1995). Species are poorly known and difficult to identify with confidence. Herbarium records suggest that it may have a wider distribution towards Laingsburg and the Klein Roggeveld, but these need to be confirmed through taxonomic study. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cylindrophyllum calamiforme (L.) Schwantes | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Bredenkamp, C. In prep. Conspectus of the flora of the Eastern cape. Strelitzia.
Chesselet, P., Mössmer, M. and Smith, G.F. 1995. Research priorities in the succulent plant family Mesembryanthemaceae Fenzl. South African Journal of Science 91:197-209.
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 |
| von Staden, L. 2018. Cylindrophyllum calamiforme (L.) Schwantes. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2024.1. Accessed on 2025/12/07 |
Comment on this assessment
