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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 B1ab(v)+2ab(v); C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2022/02/08 |
Assessor(s) | N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This species has an extent of occurrence of 2400 km² and an area of occupancy of 44 km². It is known from between 5 and 6 locations. The population is estimated to consist of fewer than 2500 mature individuals, and there are no more than 250 mature individuals per subpopulation. There is an ongoing decline in the population as a result of illegal collection. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criteria B and C. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape Province, with a distribution ranging from Ezelsbank to the Cape Peninsula. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos |
Description | Plants grow in sparse fynbos and can be found amongst rocks on sandy mountain foothills. |
Threats |
| In the past, urban expansion severely impacted this species, leading to the loss of major subpopulations on the Cape Peninsula. Agriculture is a severe threat to many of the subpopulations in the Citrusdal region, and very little of the species habitat remains intact. Illegal collection is an additional threat. This is one of the rarer Pelargoniums in the section Hoarea, and most Pelargoniums in this section are targeted for collection. There have been several Pelargonium species confiscated between March 2019 and December 2021, and many more are likely to have been removed from the wild but not intercepted by law enforcement efforts. This is likely to be causing an ongoing decline in this species. |
Population |
Historically, this species 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 (Craib 2001). 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.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Pelargonium ellaphieae E.M.Marais | EN C2a(i) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Pelargonium ellaphieae E.M.Marais | Indeterminate | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Craib, C. 2001. Geophytic Pelargoniums. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Marais, E.M. 1994. Taxonomic studies in Pelargonium, section Hoarea (Geraniaceae). Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch.
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.
Van der Walt, J.J.A. and Vorster, P.J. 1981. Pelargoniums of southern Africa (Vol. II). Juta, Cape Town.
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Citation |
| Mhlongo, N.N. 2022. Pelargonium ellaphieae E.M.Marais. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/07/03 |
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