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Scientific Name | Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. subsp. ladismithiensis (Poelln.) Toelken |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | CRASSULACEAE |
Synonyms | Cotyledon heterophylla Schönland, Cotyledon ladismithensis Poelln. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v); C1+2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2022/09/15 |
Assessor(s) | J.H. Vlok, A. Lynch, A.L. Schutte-Vlok, D. Raimondo & N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This taxon has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1968 km² and an area of occupancy of 40 km². It is estimated to occur in fewer than 20 locations, and the subpopulations are small and isolated, never consisting of more than 10-15 individuals. The population comprises fewer than 2500 plants and has declined by at least 20% in the last 10 years due to drought-related mortality, trampling of plants by livestock and ostriches, as well as illegal collection for the specialist succulent trade. The decline is projected to be ongoing. Therefore, it qualifies as Endangered under criteria B and C. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This taxon is endemic to the Western Cape Province, where it occurs from Laingsburg to Muiskraal and Ladismith. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Western Little Karoo, Montagu Shale Renosterveld, Matjiesfontein Shale Renosterveld |
Description | It grows on rock outcrops. |
Threats |
| Due to its attractive features, this taxon is threatened by illegal harvesting to supply the specialist succulent trade. It is slow-growing and harvesting is expected to have severe impacts on the surviving population. Between March 2019 and December 2021, two plants of Cotyledon tomentosa were included in confiscations; however, many more are likely to have been removed from the wild but not intercepted by law enforcement efforts. The taxon is highly sensitive to trampling by livestock, and subpopulations have been lost due to the effects of trampling. Additionally, the taxon has disappeared from two known sites, likely due to the severe 8-year drought in this region. |
Population |
This taxon grows in localized subpopulations, typically in association with rock outcrops. Subpopulations are small, never exceeding 10-15 plants; thus, the total population of this taxon is conservatively estimated to be fewer than 2500 mature individuals. The subpopulations are estimated to be fewer than 20. It is expected to have declined by at least 20% in the last 10 years due to the extended drought and illegal collection.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. subsp. ladismithiensis (Poelln.) Toelken | VU C1 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. subsp. ladismithiensis (Poelln.) Toelken | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Cotyledon ladismithensis Poelln. | Uncertain | Hall et al. (1980) | | Cotyledon heterophylla Schönland | Rare | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
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.
Tölken, H.R. 1985. Crassulaceae. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of southern Africa 14,1:1-244. Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria.
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Citation |
| Vlok, J.H., Lynch, A., Schutte-Vlok, A.L., Raimondo, D. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2022. Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. subsp. ladismithiensis (Poelln.) Toelken. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/19 |
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