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Scientific Name | Euphorbia gerstneriana Bruyns |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | EUPHORBIACEAE |
Synonyms | Euphorbia franksiae N.E.Br. var. zuluensis A.C.White, R.A.Dyer & B.Sloane |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A2cd |
Assessment Date | 2013/07/15 |
Assessor(s) | V.L. Williams & D. Raimondo |
Justification | At least a 30% reduction in the population is estimated, based on decline in area of occupancy and habitat quality and as a result of continued levels of exploitation for traditional medicinal use. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | Port Shepstone to Mahlabatini. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Eastern Valley Bushveld, KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Thornveld, Thukela Valley Bushveld, Zululand Lowveld, Midlands Mistbelt Grassland, Moist Coast Hinterland Grassland, Dry Coast Hinterland Grassland, East Griqualand Grassland, Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, Maputaland Wooded Grassland |
Description | Savanna and coastal grassland, 100-800 m. |
Threats |
| Land transformation, habitat degradation and harvesting for the medicinal plant trade are threats to the species. Plants are sought after for traditional medicine. It is slow growing, and subpopulations have been extirpated in many areas as a result of unsustainable levels of harvesting (Scott-Shaw 1999). Most of its habitat has been modified and transformed as a result of expanding agriculture (Scott-Shaw 1999). Species previously assessed to be VU in KwaZulu-Natal by Scott-Shaw (1999). |
Population |
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Euphorbia gerstneriana Bruyns | VU A2cd | 2014.1 | | Euphorbia franksiae N.E.Br. | VU A2cd | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Euphorbia franksiae N.E.Br. | VU | Scott-Shaw (1999) | |
Bibliography |
Bruyns, P.V. 2012. Nomenclature and typification of southern African species of Euphorbia. Bothalia 42(2):217-245.
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.
Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg.
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Citation |
| Williams, V.L. & Raimondo, D. 2013. Euphorbia gerstneriana Bruyns. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/09/15 |
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