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Scientific Name | Ledebouria pilosa (Van der Merwe) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | HYACINTHACEAE |
Synonyms | Resnova pilosa Van der Merwe |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A2c; B1ab(ii,iii) |
Assessment Date | 2022/06/20 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | This species has a limited distribution range, with an extent of occurrence of 18 169 km², and it is known from eight to 10 locations. The population is fragmented due to timber plantations, and there is a continuing decline due to ongoing habitat loss (5% loss between 1990 and 2014) and degradation. A population reduction of 40% is inferred from historical habitat loss over three generations (generation length 20-30 years). Therefore, this species qualifies for a Vulnerable listing under criteria A and B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga |
Range | This species has a limited distribution in South Africa, where it occurs from the Mpumalanga Drakensberg escarpment to northern KwaZulu-Natal. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Northern Zululand Mistbelt Grassland, Barberton Montane Grassland, KaNgwane Montane Grassland, Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland |
Description | It occurs in rocky places in grassland and open woodland, at 750-1500 m.a.s.l. |
Threats |
| It has lost at least 43% of its habitat to timber plantations and urban expansion, of which 5% was lost between 1990 and 2014. The remnant grassland fragments where it remains are threatened by escaping pine seedlings. Inappropriate fire management is further degrading this species' remaining habitat, with many grassland areas becoming increasingly encroached by woody species due to lack of regular burning. |
Population |
Previously this species had taxonomic confusion and it was difficult to quantify its distribution and abundance. However, in the latest revision the taxonomic uncertainties were resolved. This species is locally common within its habitat. It is known mostly from historical records collected between 1917 and 2012. The population trend is unknown, but is inferred to be declining due to habitat loss and degradation. A 30-40% loss to the population is suspected to have occurred over the past 3 generations (60-90 years) as a result of ongoing habitat conversion. It is a slow growing geophyte with a generation length of between 20 and 30 years. Monitoring is required to determine the current population trend and population size.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Notes |
| Species formerly included in the genus Resnova. Van der Merwe described this species in 1946. Jessop (1972) considered it insufficiently distinct from Ledebouria (Resnova) maxima. Müller-Doblies and Müller-Doblies (1997) reinstated the species without further comment on its distribution or habitat requirements, and it was upheld by Manning et al. (2004). This species can be confused with Ledebouria humifusa, but in a recent publication by Manning et. al. (2020) the morphology and distribution of these two species were clearly distinguished. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Ledebouria pilosa (Van der Merwe) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt | DDT | 2020.1 | | Ledebouria pilosa (Van der Merwe) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt | Least Concern | 2014.1 | | Resnova pilosa Van der Merwe | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Jessop, J.P. 1972. Studies in the bulbous Liliaceae in South Africa: 2. Drimiopsis and Resnova. Journal of South African Botany 38(3):151-162.
Manning, J.C. 2020. Systematics of Ledebouria sect. Resnova (Hyacinthaceae: Scilloideae: Massonieae), with a new subtribal classification of Massonieae. South African Journal of Botany 133:98-110.
Manning, J.C., Goldblatt, P. and Fay, M.F. 2004. A revised generic synopsis of Hyacinthaceae in sub-Saharan Africa, based on molecular evidence, including new combinations and the new tribe Pseudoprospereae. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 60(3):533-568.
Müller-Doblies, U. and Müller-Doblies, D. 1997. A partial revision of the tribe Massonieae (Hyacinthaceae). Feddes Repertorium 108(1-2):49-96.
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.
Van der Merwe, F. 1946. Aantekeninge vir die hersiening van die genus Scilla L. in Suid-Afrika. 'n Nuwe genus: Resnova. Tydskrif vir Wetenskap en Kuns 6:41-46.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2022. Ledebouria pilosa (Van der Merwe) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/20 |
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