Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aspalathus divaricata Thunb. subsp. gracilior R.Dahlgren
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
FABACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v)
Assessment Date
2018/06/01
Assessor(s)
L. von Staden
Justification
This taxon has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 500 km². It is known from seven locations and threatened by competition from spreading alien invasive plants. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion B.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
This species is endemic to South Africa, and is found in the mountains between Grabouw, Stellenbosch and Paarl, and also in the mountains south-west of the Breede River Valley near Worcester in the Western Cape.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos
Description
It occurs on lower sandstone and granite slopes.
Threats
This taxon has lost habitat to timber plantations in Jonkershoek, Wemmershoek and the Berg River Valley at Franschhoek in the past. Timber plantations are however no longer expanding and this threat has ceased. Subpopulations on slopes above plantations are currently threatened by rapidly spreading escaped pine seedlings, which are already outcompeting native species around Franschhoek Pass, Wemmershoek and the Groot Drakenstein Mountains west of Franschhoek. Spreading, unmanaged alien invasive species is also a threat to a subpopulation in Du Toit's Kloof.
Population

There is no information available on the population of this species.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aspalathus divaricata Thunb. subsp. gracilior R.DahlgrenVU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v)2020.1
Aspalathus divaricata Thunb. subsp. gracilior R.DahlgrenLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Dahlgren, R. 1968. Revision of the genus Aspalathus. II. The species with ericoid and pinoid leaflets. 6. The Aspalathus frankenioides, nivea, juniperina, rubens, and divaricata groups and some other groups. Opera Botanica 21:8-304.


Dahlgren, R. 1988. Crotalarieae (Aspalathus). In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of southern Africa 16 Fabaceae, Part 3 Papilionoideae, Fascicle 6:1-430. 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.


Citation
von Staden, L. 2018. Aspalathus divaricata Thunb. subsp. gracilior R.Dahlgren. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/09/14

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Distribution map


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