Duine-aalwyn

Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aloe brevifolia Mill.
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
ASPHODELACEAE
Common Names
Duine-aalwyn (a)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Endangered B2ab(iii,iv,v); C2a(i)
Assessment Date
2019/03/04
Assessor(s)
L. von Staden, D. Raimondo & N.A. Helme
Justification
A small, severely fragmented population consisting of fewer than 2000 mature individuals continue to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. Aloe brevifolia has a small Area of Occupancy (52-76 km²) due to more than 80% historical habitat loss to crop cultivation. All remaining subpopulations are small and isolated, with the largest consisting of between 100 and 200 mature individuals.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
Aloe brevifolia is endemic to the coastal lowlands of the southern Cape, where it occurs between Bot River, Robertson, Mossel Bay and Cape Agulhas.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Breede Shale Renosterveld, Mossel Bay Shale Renosterveld, Eastern Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Central Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Western Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Overberg Dune Strandveld
Description
Rocky places in shale and coastal limestone.
Threats
More than 80% of shale renosterveld in the Overberg region has been converted to crop fields, and comparisons of land cover datasets between 1990 and 2014 indicate significant, ongoing agricultural expansion, particularly in the eastern Overberg. Small remnants of renosterveld remain, typically those that are too steep or rocky to plough, and Aloe brevifolia still persists on many of these, as it prefers exposed places in shallower, rocky soils. There is however ongoing degradation of renosterveld remnants mainly due to severe overstocking with livestock, which leads to trampling and a loss of shrub cover. Field observations also indicate spreading alien invasive plants at many remaining locations. Aloe brevifolia is an attractive species, and illegal removal of mature individuals from the wild by succulent collectors remains an ongoing threat.
Population

Aloe brevifolia is known historically from a wide area and many collections. Recent (2004-2018) field surveys of remaining renosterveld fragments recorded Aloe brevifolia at 12 remaining locations. At three locations known through historical records intact habitat still exists, but there is no recent data on the subpopulations at these sites. More than 80% of recently recorded subpopulations occur on very small, isolated renosterveld remnants, and subpopulations are small, the largest consisting of 100-200 mature individuals - therefore the population is considered severely fragmented. Based on field counts at 11 of the 12 confirmed extant subpopulations, the population size is estimated to be between 565 and 1118 mature individuals. A continuing population decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation.


Population trend
Decreasing
Notes
Aloe brevifolia var. depressa is distinguished from the typical variety mainly by the larger habit and a tendency not to form clumps. Glen and Hardy (2000) chose to uphold the variety in their revision, however, surveys of populations in the Caledon area (where both variants are known to occur) are necessary to determine whether variations within subpopulations do not include both forms. Herbarium specimen notes suggest considerable variability in plant size within the same locality (Bruyns BOL 100420-0). Due to their overlapping distribution ranges and difficulty in distinguishing the varieties of Aloe brevifolia, it is assessed at species level only.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aloe brevifolia Mill. var. brevifolia VU A2c; C1+2a(i)Raimondo et al. (2009)
Aloe brevifolia Mill. var. depressa (Haw.) BakerData Deficient (Taxonomically Problematic) Raimondo et al. (2009)
Aloe brevifolia Mill.VU A1cVictor (2002)
Aloe brevifolia Mill. var. brevifolia Not Threatened Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Glen, H.F. and Hardy, D.S. 2000. Aloaceae (First part): Aloe. In: G. Germishuizen (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 5 Part 1, Fascicle 1:1-159. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity 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.


Reynolds, G.W. 1969. The Aloes of South Africa. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town.


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. 1996. Guide to the aloes of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.


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.


Citation
von Staden, L., Raimondo, D. & Helme, N.A. 2019. Aloe brevifolia Mill. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/13

Comment on this assessment Comment on this assessment
Distribution map

© E.J. van Jaarsveld


Search for images of Aloe brevifolia on iNaturalist