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Scientific Name | Pelargonium ellaphieae E.M.Marais |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | GERANIACEAE |
Synonyms | Pelargonium marginatum R.Knuth |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2007/10/02 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo |
Justification | This species historically occurred from Muizenberg to Citrusdal, but is now restricted to a few subpopulations in the greater Citrusdal area. Subpopulations are usually small and scattered with two to eight plants in isolated groups. It is therefore estimated that the total population consists of fewer than 2500 plants and that there are not more than 250 adult individuals per subpopulation. The number of mature individuals is declining due to illegal collection for the specialized horticulture trade. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Citrusdal to the Cape Peninsula. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos, Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | Sparse fynbos, growing amongst rocks on sandy mountain foothills. |
Threats |
| Agriculture caused a past loss (some habitat loss has been recorded west of Citrusdal for citrus orchards) (Craib 2001).
It is not currently severely threatened by clearing of land for agriculture and habitat is likely to remain intact (Craib 2001).
Urban expansion has caused the loss of a subpopulation from Muizenberg in the past.
Illegal collecting is a further threat. This is one of the rarer of the Pelargoniums in the section Hoarea and most Pelargoniums in this section are targeted for collection. This is likely to be causing a slow but ongoing decline of this species. |
Population |
Plant populations are usually small and scattered with two to eight plants in isolated groups (Craib 2001).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Citation |
| Raimondo, D. 2007. Pelargonium ellaphieae E.M.Marais. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2017.1. Accessed on 2020/04/06 |
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