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Scientific Name | Aloe albida (Stapf) Reynolds |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | ASPHODELACEAE |
Synonyms | Aloe kraussii Baker var. minor Baker, Aloe kraussii Schönland, Aloe myriacantha (Haw.) Schult. & J.H.Schult. var. minor (Baker) A.Berger, Leptaloe albida Stapf |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2018/10/22 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali, M. Lötter, J.E. Burrows & D. Raimondo |
Justification | Aloe albida has a limited distribution range (EOO 324 km²), and has lost habitat to commercial forestry plantations in the past and is currently declining mainly due to invasive alien species degrading its habitat. However, there are between 15 and 20 existing locations which are not severely fragmented and thus it only nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Mpumalanga |
Range | Aloe albida has a restricted range in the mountains south of Barberton, Mpumalanga, extending to Malolotja in north-western Swaziland. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Barberton Montane Grassland, KaNgwane Montane Grassland |
Description | Montane mistbelt grassland, 1500-1800 m. |
Threats |
| A. albida has suffered two major population declines. The first was the destruction of the greater part of its habitat through afforestation. The second occurred when many of the remaining populations that had stabilised after initial afforestation were subject to additional pressures, mostly further afforestation, invasion of the habitat by weeds and logging operations (Craib 2005).
Habitat loss to timber plantations has largely ceased, and much of the remaining habitat is now protected. However, sporadic, ongoing decline is expected due to habitat degradation as a result of alien invasive plant infestations. Collection for horticultural purposes is a potential threat in some of the well-known sites.
There is also a renewed interest in mining in the Barberton area, and some sites where this species is known to occur have been subjected to mining and prospecting applications. |
Population |
Several large subpopulations occur in the mountains south of Barberton. Continuing population 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 albida (Stapf) Reynolds | NT B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Aloe albida (Stapf) Reynolds | VU A1c | Victor (2002) | | Aloe albida (Stapf) Reynolds | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Aloe albida (Stapf) Reynolds | Vulnerable | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Craib, C. 2005. Grass Aloes in the South African Veld. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
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.
Victor, J.E. 2002. South Africa. In: J.S. Golding (ed), Southern African plant Red Data Lists. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 14 (pp. 93-120), SABONET, Pretoria.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H., Lötter, M., Burrows, J.E. & Raimondo, D. 2018. Aloe albida (Stapf) Reynolds. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/14 |
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