Impinyampinya

Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Dioscorea rupicola Kunth
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
DIOSCOREACEAE
Common Names
Impinyampinya (z), Inkwa (z)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2016/08/16
Assessor(s)
P. Wilkin, M. Muasya & L. von Staden
Justification
Dioscorea rupicola is a widespread (EOO 71 943 km²) and common species that is not in danger of extinction.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
Range
Ngome to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and Drakensberg foothills, extending to the Eastern Cape Drakensberg around Hogsback.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Forest, Grassland, Savanna
Description
Forest margins and clearings in forests, as well as riparian scrub in kloofs. It occurs predominantly in moist loamy soils on shaded east and south-facing slopes.
Threats
This species' habitat is generally well-protected, particularly in the Drakensberg. There may have been some habitat disturbance in areas where timber plantations have been planted right up to the margins of indigenous forests, but this is not suspected to have caused significant declines. Some forest margins, particularly in disturbed areas are invaded by alien invasive plants. Dioscorea species have known medicinal properties, and many species are collected for traditional medicine. Little is however known about the impact of medicinal harvesting on this species.
Population

A widespread and common species. The population is not suspected to be declining.


Population trend
Stable
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Dioscorea rupicola KunthLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Pooley, E. 2003. Mountain flowers: a field guide to the flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.


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.


Wilkin, P. and Muasya, A.M. 2015. Clarifying the Dioscorea buchananii Benth. species complex: a new potentially extinct subspecies for South Africa. PhytoKeys 48:51-72.


Citation
Wilkin, P., Muasya, M. & von Staden, L. 2016. Dioscorea rupicola Kunth. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/02/11

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Distribution map


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