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Scientific Name | Capnophyllum africanum (L.) Gaertn. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | APIACEAE |
Synonyms | Caucalis africana (L.) Crantz, Cicuta africana (L.) Lam., Conium africanum L. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2018/10/03 |
Assessor(s) | N.A. Helme, D. Raimondo & L. von Staden |
Justification | Capnophyllum africanum has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 5309-7266 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 128-160 km². In spite of extensive habitat loss, it is still very common, and estimated to persist at 30-40 locations. It is resilient to disturbance, but continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss, mainly to urban expansion. It is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape coastal lowlands between Vredenburg and Gordon's Bay in South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Langebaan Dune Strandveld, Saldanha Flats Strandveld, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, Atlantis Sand Fynbos, Saldanha Limestone Strandveld, Saldanha Granite Strandveld, Hopefield Sand Fynbos, Swartland Shale Renosterveld, Peninsula Granite Fynbos, Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos, Cape Seashore Vegetation |
Description | It occurs in deep sandy soils on coastal flats. |
Threats |
| Capnophyllum africanum has suffered extensive habitat loss, with at least 40% irreversibly modified. There is ongoing habitat loss to development, including urban expansion and mining, across most of its range. Much of its habitat is cultivated, but the species is able to recolonize fallow lands. It also persists in spite of dense infestations of alien invasive grasses and in heavily overgrazed areas. |
Population |
This species has a restricted distribution range, but is extremely common within suitable habitat. Its habitat has been extensively fragmented, and most remaining subpopulations persist in small remnants. It however appears to be somewhat resilient to disturbance, occurring in degraded sites such as fallow lands. A continuing decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss across most of its range.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Capnophyllum africanum (L.) Gaertn. | NT B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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.
Magee, A.R., Van Wyk, B.E., Tilney, P.M. and Downie, S.R. 2009. A taxonomic revision of Capnophyllum (Apiaceae: Apiodeae). South African Journal of Botany 75:283-291.
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 |
| Helme, N.A., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2018. Capnophyllum africanum (L.) Gaertn. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/06/07 |
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