|
Scientific Name | Searsia batophylla (Codd) Moffett |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ANACARDIACEAE |
Synonyms | Rhus batophylla Codd |
Common Names | Bramble Currant (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A2c |
Assessment Date | 2006/11/15 |
Assessor(s) | M. Lötter, J.E. Burrows & L. von Staden |
Justification | It has a restricted range (EOO 945 km²), but is locally common (at least 26 known subpopulations). There has been extensive transformation of its habitat by mining, human settlements and land degradation due to overgrazing. We estimate a 30% decline of the population in the last three generations (90-150 years) based on a 32% loss of habitat. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Limpopo |
Range | Sekhukhuneland. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Sekhukhune Mountain Bushveld, Sekhukhune Plains Bushveld, Ohrigstad Mountain Bushveld |
Description | Dry bushveld, in low-lying areas and along watercourses, 650-975 m. |
Threats |
| Sekhukhuneland is rich in minerals, and habitats in this area are severely threatened by destruction as a result of both the mines themselves, as well as associated sprawling informal settlements and overgrazed communally owned rangelands of communities dependant on the mines. Mining in this area started as early as the 1870s (Etherington 1979), and recently there has been a renewed interest in mining as a result of changing mining laws making it easier to obtain prospecting and mining rights.
This species sometimes occurs in degraded systems (R.H. Archer pers. comm.), however heavy grazing by goats leads to severe stunted growth (Moffett 1993) and may lead to poor recruitment. |
Population |
Population trend | Unknown |
Conservation |
| Not currently conserved in any formally protected area. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Searsia batophylla (Codd) Moffett | VU A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Rhus batophylla Codd | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Rhus batophylla Codd | Uncertain | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Codd, L.E.W. 1956. Anacardiaceae: Rhus batophylla. Bothalia 6:539-540.
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.
Moffett, R.O. 1990. A taxonomic study of Rhus (Anacardiaceae) in Southern Africa. Unpublished PhD Thesis., University of Stellenbosch.
Moffett, R.O. 1993. Rhus. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of southern Africa 19 Part 3: Anacardiaceae, Fascicle 1:1-129. 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.
|
Citation |
| Lötter, M., Burrows, J.E. & von Staden, L. 2006. Searsia batophylla (Codd) Moffett. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/14 |
Comment on this assessment
