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Scientific Name | Woodia verruculosa Schltr. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | APOCYNACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2016/01/21 |
Assessor(s) | A. Nicholas, C.R. Scott-Shaw, D. Raimondo & L. von Staden |
Justification | A range-restricted species (EOO 1480 km²), known to remain at around eight or nine locations, and declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Howick to Ixopo. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Thornveld, Midlands Mistbelt Grassland, Dry Coast Hinterland Grassland, Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland |
Description | Mistbelt and Ngongoni grassland, 800-1300 m. |
Threats |
Very little of this species' grassland habitat remains intact after extensive losses to timber plantations, sugarcane, urban expansion, spreading rural settlements, and degradation due to overgrazing. Habitat loss to urban and industrial development continues around Pietermaritzburg. Remaining subpopulations are also threatened by competition from unmanaged alien invasive plants. |
Population |
In spite of extensive habitat loss and degradation, this species is still fairly common, occurring in numerous fragments on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg (A. Young pers. comm.). It appears to be somewhat tolerant of disturbance. Subpopulations are however small, with field counts indicating around 10 plants per subpopulation, and it continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | Woodia verruculosa Schltr. | VU D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | Woodia verruculosa Schltr. | Lower Risk - Near Threatened | Scott-Shaw (1999) | Woodia verruculosa Schltr. | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
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.
Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg.
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Citation |
Nicholas, A., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2016. Woodia verruculosa Schltr. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/02/11 |