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Scientific Name | Ruschia glauca L.Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Mesembryanthemum valens N.E.Br. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2018/06/05 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | A highly range-restricted Richtersveld endemic (EOO 971 km²), known from four locations and threatened by ongoing habitat loss and degradation. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | Northern Richtersveld. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Central Richtersveld Mountain Shrubland, Western Gariep Hills Desert, Stinkfonteinberge Quartzite Fynbos, Richtersberg Mountain Desert |
Description | Gentle slopes with shale or granitic soils. |
Threats |
| This species' habitat is severely overgrazed, particularly in the area between Kuboes and Sendelingsdrif. Overgrazing has led to a loss of shrub cover and species diversity, and has made remaining vegetation more vulnerable to drought. Mass mortality of otherwise fairly resilient species have been observed during recent severe droughts in the Richtersveld (P.C.V. van Wyk pers. obs. 2017).
Mining along the Orange River has also caused severe habitat degradation, particularly due to sand shifting from mine dumps across the open plains between Sendelingsdrif and Cornellskop. |
Population |
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Ruschia glauca L.Bolus | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Bolus, H.M.L. 1928-1935. Notes on Mesembrianthemum and allied genera. Part II. Bolus Herbarium, University of Cape Town, Cape Town.
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.
Snijman, D.A. 2013. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2018. Ruschia glauca L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/12/08 |
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