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Scientific Name | Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. subsp. tomentosa |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | CRASSULACEAE |
Synonyms | Cotyledon ladismithensis in sense of Boom, not of Poelln. (misapplied name), Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2022/10/31 |
Assessor(s) | J.H. Vlok, D. Raimondo & N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This taxon is known from between 8 and 10 very localized subpopulations that are declining due to illegal collection for the specialist succulent trade, grazing, and trampling. The population is estimated to have fewer than 1000 individuals, with no subpopulation known to have more than 30 mature individuals. Therefore, it qualifies as Endangered under criterion C. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces, from Ladismith to Steytlerville. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Koedoesberge-Moordenaars Karoo, Sundays Arid Thicket, Oudshoorn Karroid Thicket, Baviaans Valley Thicket |
Description | It grows in arid thicket, on lower, gravely slopes in sheltered ravines. |
Threats |
| Plants in this region are highly sensitive to trampling, particularly by boer goats, and are being significantly affected. Some subpopulations, including Zevenfontein south of Anysberg, have been lost due to trampling. There is a minor threat of collection by succulent collectors. Two plants of the species Cotyledon tomentosa were included in confiscations between March 2019 and December 2021, and more are likely to have been removed from the wild but not intercepted by law enforcement efforts. The sheltered ravines, where this species occurs, have provided a buffer for some subpopulations against severe grazing, which is the primary threat to this vegetation type. |
Population |
This taxon is known from 8-10 very localized subpopulations with fewer than 30 plants recorded. The total population size is estimated to be less than 1000 mature individuals.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. subsp. tomentosa | VU D1+2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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.
Tolken, H.R. 1977. New taxa and a new combination in the genus Cotyledon. Bothalia 12(2):191-194.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation |
| Vlok, J.H., Raimondo, D. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2022. Cotyledon tomentosa Harv. subsp. tomentosa. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/07/05 |
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