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Scientific Name | Gibbaeum album N.E.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Gibbaeum album N.E.Br. forma roseum (N.E.Br.) G.D.Rowley, Gibbaeum album N.E.Br. var. roseum N.E.Br. |
Common Names | Volstruistoonvygie (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C1 |
Assessment Date | 2022/09/16 |
Assessor(s) | J.H. Vlok, A.L. Schutte-Vlok, A. Lynch & N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This species has a limited distribution range and has an extent of occurrence (EOO) and an area of occupancy (AOO) of less than 16 km². It is known from three locations and the population consists of fewer than 2500 plants. Given the current levels of decline from illegal collection and the projected decline from drought-related mortality from climate change and trampling, there will be at least a 20% decline by 2122 (two generations). It therefore qualifies as Endangered under criterion B and C. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Northern slopes of Langeberg in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Little Karoo Quartz Vygieveld |
Description | Plants occur on dry slopes and flats in quartz pebbles on shales. It is a slow growing succulent with a generation length of 50 years. |
Threats |
| The building of a road in the 1960s caused a significant loss of occupancy and individuals in the past, estimated at about 30%. This species is highly sought after by collectors for the specialist succulent trade and the subpopulations occurring outside protected areas are highly susceptible to illegal collections. Five plants were included in confiscations between March 2019 and December 2021, many more are likely to have been removed from the wild but not intercepted by law enforcement efforts. Trampling by livestock and Ostriches has been reported in two of the three locations. This species is also likely to be affected by climate change and change as a result of changes in rainfall patterns as well as an extended droughts. For example there has just been an extended drought that started in 2014 and continued until 2022. |
Population |
This species is known from three subpopulations which occur within three kilometres of each other. The population size is estimated to be less than 2500 plants and each subpopulation has between 200 and 1000 mature individuals. The population is declining due to illegal collection and habitat degradation from livestock trampling. Based on current rates of decline it is projected to decline by at least 20% over the next two generations (100 years).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| This species is protected in Doringkloof Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Gibbaeum album N.E.Br. | CR B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) | 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.
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.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation |
| Vlok, J.H., Schutte-Vlok, A.L., Lynch, A. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2022. Gibbaeum album N.E.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/23 |
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