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Scientific Name | Crocosmia masoniorum (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
Synonyms | Tritonia masoniorum L.Bolus |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv) |
Assessment Date | 2023/02/28 |
Assessor(s) | W. Woodenberg & P. Goldblatt |
Justification | This Eastern Cape endemic has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of less than 100 km² and is currently known from two locations. It is severely threatened by habitat degradation caused by alien plant invasion and livestock overgrazing. The population is inferred to be declining. Therefore, it is listed as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape |
Range | This species is found in the southern Drakensberg Mountains (Engcobo and Mthatha districts). |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland |
Description | Plants grow in rocky sandstone outcrops, often on cliffs, or on streambanks. |
Threats |
| The type locality is rapidly being overgrown with Acacia mearnsii. Another known subpopulation, at Mhlahlane near Umtata, may also face pressure from forestry expansion. There is a Cala Pass record but plants almost certainly no longer occur there - the area is much degraded by overgrazing, and is largely covered with Acacia mearnsii. Two additional subpopulations found in 2004 and 2006 near Engcobo were located in an area degraded by severe cattle overgrazing and black wattle infestation. Other subpopulations probably exist in this mountainous area but have not yet been found (Goldblatt, pers. comm. 2006). |
Population |
It is known in herbaria from 14 collections spanning a date range from 1896 to 1997. Additionally, it is documented in two observations by citizen scientists of the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) Programme. They found 10 plants in 2004 and between 10 and 50 plants in 2006 at Satansnek near Engcobo. The population trend is unknown but is inferred to be declining due to habitat degradation by alien invasive plants; thus, field surveys are required.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Crocosmia masoniorum (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. | VU B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Crocosmia masoniorum (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. | Indeterminate | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Bredenkamp, C.L. 2019. A flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
De Vos, M.P. 1999. Crocosmia. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 7 Iridaceae Part 2: Ixioideae, Fascicle 1: Ixieae:129-138. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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 |
| Woodenberg, W. & Goldblatt, P. 2023. Crocosmia masoniorum (L.Bolus) N.E.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/11 |
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