Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Heine
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
ACANTHACEAE
Synonyms
Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees, Barleria auriculata Schumach., Barleria longifolia L., Hygrophila spinosa T.Anderson
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020/02/20
Assessor(s)
H. Mtshali & L. von Staden
Justification
Hygrophila auriculata is widespread, common and not in danger of extinction.
Distribution
Endemism
Not endemic to South Africa
Provincial distribution
KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga
Range
This species is widespread across tropical Africa to India. In South Africa it occurs in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Lowveld, as well as the coastal flats east of the Lebombo Mountains in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Freshwater
Major habitats
Savanna
Description
It occurs in swamps, temporary pools, margins of pans, water holes and along streams and rivers.
Threats
This species has no severe threats in South Africa. It is resilient to disturbance, and persists in wetlands that are degraded due to overgrazing and alien invasive plants. Its habitat in the Mpumalanga Lowveld is well-protected.
Population
Population trend
Stable
Notes
According to Cook (2004) and Vollesen (2008), H. auriculata is a synonym of H. schulli M.R.Almeida and S.M.Almeida, but according to the International Plant Names Index, this name is invalid.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) HeineLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Clarke, C.B. 1901. Acanthaceae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis V Section I (Acanthaceae-Proteaceae):1-92. Lovell Reeve & Co., Ltd., London.


Cook, C.D.K. 2004. Aquatic and wetland plants of southern Africa. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.


Heine, H. 1962. Tropical African Plants: XXVI. Some West African Acanthaceae. Kew Bulletin 16(2):161-183.


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.


Retief, E. and Herman, P.P.J. 1997. Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: keys and diagnostic characters. Strelitzia 6. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Sieben, E.J.J. 2009. The status and distribution of vascular plants (Magnoliophyta, Lycophyta, Pteridophyta). In: W.R.T. Darwall, K.G. Smith, D. Tweddle and P. Skelton (eds.), The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in southern Africa (pp. 83-98), IUCN and SAIAB, Gland, Switzerland and Grahamstown, South Africa.


Vollesen, K. 2008. Acanthaceae. In: H.J. Beentje and S.A. Ghazanfar (eds). Flora of Tropical East Africa. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.


Citation
Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Heine. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/13

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Distribution map

© L. von Staden

© L. von Staden

© L. von Staden

© G. Nichols


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