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Scientific Name | Aloe integra Reynolds |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | ASPHODELACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2018/10/03 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali, M. Lötter, J.E. Burrows & S. Krynauw |
Justification | Aloe integra has a restricted distribution range (extent of occurrence 6865-9685 km²), and the severely fragmented population continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, as well as competition from alien invasive plants. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Mpumalanga |
Range | This species has a restricted distribution along the eastern escarpment of Mpumalanga Province between the Blyde River Canyon and Piet Retief. It also occurs around Mankayane in western Swaziland. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Barberton Montane Grassland, KaNgwane Montane Grassland, Long Tom Pass Montane Grassland, Lydenburg Thornveld, Northern Escarpment Dolomite Grassland |
Description | It occurs in exposed, rocky sites with short grass on north- and northwest-facing slopes in dry highveld grassland. |
Threats |
| About 42% of Aloe integra's grassland habitat has been lost, predominantly to timber plantations. Most subpopulations remain in small, isolated fragments of grassland among plantations, where they are threatened by spreading alien invasive weeds, particularly wattles (Craib 2005). Alien invasive species are outcompeting native plant species, particularly when grasslands change to bushland as a result of invasions.
In small subpopulations on isolated fragments, recruitment is generally poor, due to inappropriate fire management and loss of pollinators (Craib 2005). Native animal species such as antelope and baboons have also suffered loss of habitat and food sources due to the establishment of timber plantations, and now occur in high concentrations on small grassland fragments, where they are overgrazing and damaging the flowers of Aloe integra, leading to further decline in recruitment (Craib 2005).
One subpopulation in the northern part of the range was lost to the expansion of a rural settlement. |
Population |
Aloe integra is known from a few records, scattered over a wide area. Six subpopulations have been recently recorded, and intact habitat still exists at three more known through historical records, but still needs to be surveyed to determine whether they are still extant. Most subpopulations of Aloe integra are small and isolated, due to extensive habitat loss and fragmentation, and therefore the population is considered severely fragmented. A continuing decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aloe integra Reynolds | VU B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Aloe integra Reynolds | Not Threatened | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Craib, C. 2005. Grass Aloes in the South African Veld. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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.
Smith, G.F., Steyn, E.M.A., Victor, J.E., Crouch, N.R., Golding, J.S. and Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. Aloaceae: The conservation status of Aloe in South Africa: an updated synopsis. Bothalia 30(2):206-211.
Van Wyk, B.-E. and Smith, G. 2003. Guide to aloes of South Africa. (2nd ed.). Briza Publications, Pretoria.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H., Lötter, M., Burrows, J.E. & Krynauw, S. 2018. Aloe integra Reynolds. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/06/14 |
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