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Scientific Name | Gnidia simplex L. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | THYMELAEACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2017/08/11 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Gnidia simplex is a widespread species that is still common in spite of ongoing habitat loss across its range. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 19 558 km², and is not yet in danger of extinction. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to South Africa, and is found from the Cape Peninsula eastwards to the Langeberg and Albertinia. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Canca Limestone Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Albertinia Sand Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos, Peninsula Granite Fynbos, Robertson Granite Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, De Hoop Limestone Fynbos, Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on coastal flats and lower slopes, in a variety of soil types, often preferring ecotonal areas. |
Threats |
| Gnidia simplex is threatened by ongoing habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation due to urban expansion on the Cape Flats, where it is now reduced to isolated remnants of lowland sand fynbos. Field observations on the Cape Flats indicate that it is somewhat tolerant of disturbance, persisting in severely degraded fynbos. Between Betty's Bay and De Hoop it is threatened by ongoing habitat loss to coastal development. Much of its habitat along the southern Cape Coast and on the Agulhas Plain is densely infested with alien invasive wattles, which are outcompeting native species. |
Population |
It is a widespread and common species. It has declined on the Cape Flats, where it now occurs in remnant sand fynbos. It continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation across most of its range, but it is not yet in danger of extinction.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Notes |
| Wright (1925) lists G. simplex as a synonym of G. subulata. However, according to nomenclatural rules, when species previously separately described are combined, preference should be given to the oldest validly published name. As G. simplex was published before G. subulata, the correct name is therefore G. simplex, as adopted by Beaumont in Manning and Goldblatt (2012). Gnidia remains in need of revision, and some publications still follow Wright's 1925 nomenclature, referring to this taxon as G. subulata. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Gnidia simplex L. | Least Concern | 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.
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.
Wright, C.H. 1925. Thymelaeaceae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis V Section II (Thymeleaceae-Ceratophylleae):1-81. L. Reeve & Co., Ltd., Ashford.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2017. Gnidia simplex L. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/09 |
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