Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Silene crassifolia L. subsp. crassifolia
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
CARYOPHYLLACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2014/05/09
Assessor(s)
L. von Staden
Justification
A range-restricted subspecies (EOO 19 745 km²) that is declining across its range due to habitat loss and degradation. It is however still common, occurring at more than 30 locations, and is not yet in danger of extinction, but needs to be monitored.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
Western Cape coast from Saldanha to Struisbaai.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Fynbos
Description
Deep sandy soils just above the high-tide water level, and stabilized or partially stabilized coastal dunes.
Threats
This subspecies is threatened by habitat loss and degradation due to coastal development and urban expansion across its range. Around False Bay and Cape Agulhas it is also threatened by competition from unmanaged alien invasive plants. In spite of these threats, it is however still common, and survives even in heavily impacted dune systems such as at Fish Hoek Beach on the Cape Peninsula.
Population

This subspecies is localized to coastal dunes a few metres from the sea, but is locally abundant within this habitat.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Silene crassifolia L. subsp. crassifolia Least Concern 2014.1
Silene crassifolia L.Least Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.


Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. A taxonomic revision of the southern African native and naturalized species of Silene L. (Caryophyllaceae). Bothalia 42(2):147-186.


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. 2014. Silene crassifolia L. subsp. crassifolia. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/07/08

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Distribution map

© C. Merry

© C. Merry


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