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Scientific Name | Conophytum frutescens Schwantes |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Conophytum notabile N.E.Br., Conophytum salmonicolor L.Bolus, Conophytum teguliflorum Tischer |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A3cd |
Assessment Date | 2023/10/23 |
Assessor(s) | A.J. Young, P.G. Desmet, I. Ebrahim, D. Guo, A. Harrower, L. Jabar, L. Knoetze, C. Rodgerson, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This succulent is endemic to the Northern Cape province of South Africa and has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 285 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 84 km². This particular species is not currently threatened by illegal collection but it is likely that it will become a target in coming years as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants of this genus targeted since 2019. Related species within the immediate area have experienced severe declines in population number due to illegal collection. A decline of up to 90% due to this activity is possible within three generations (90 years). Anthropogenic climate change is a major threat to this species. Climate models indicate that there will be a loss of suitable bioclimatic envelope of 86% by 2080. It therefore qualifies as Critically Endangered under criterion A3. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Northern Cape province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld, Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland |
Description | This species is found on patches of quartz stones in the Namaqualand Hardeveld bioregion of the Succulent Karoo biome. The plants experience winter rainfall and may also obtain moisture from localised fogs. This species has a generation length of 30 years. It is expected to be sensitive to the impacts of climate change as it does not disperse and while adapted to arid conditions, is dependent on limited seasonal rainfall. Species in the genus are sensitive to long periods of drought. Drought related mortality has been observed for other closely related taxa within the genus. |
Threats |
| This particular species is not currently threatened by illegal collection but it is likely that it will become a target in coming years as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants of this genus targeted since 2019. Related species within the immediate area have experienced severe declines in population number due to illegal collection.
There is no decline in habitat quality for this species as inferred by changes in vegetation cover determined from changes in Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) between 1984 and 2018 using Landsat data (Venter et al. 2020). Anthropogenic climate change is however a long-term threat to this species. Climate models for the likely emission scenarios where emissions stay at present day levels (RCP 2.6) (Hausfather and Peters 2020) and worst case scenarios where emissions continue to increase during the 21st century (RCP 8.5) indicate that there will be a loss of suitable bioclimatic envelope of between 86% and 100% by 2080 for this species. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population |
There are no formal estimates of population size for this species but the number of mature individuals is likely to be several thousands. The number of plants in this general area have been in decline in recent years due to an extended drought and the population may be in decline.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum frutescens Schwantes | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Conophytum frutescens Schwantes | Lower Risk - Least Concern | Victor (2002) | | Conophytum frutescens Schwantes | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Hammer, S. 2002. Dumpling and his wife: New view of the genus Conophytum. EAE Creative Colour, Norwich.
Hammer, S.A. 1993. The genus Conophytum: A conograph. Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
Hausfather, Z. and Peters, G.P. 2020. Emissions - the 'business as usual' story is misleading. Nature 577(618-620).
Opel, M.R. 2004. The rediscovery of Crassula alcicornis. Haseltonia 10:38-40.
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Citation |
| Young, A.J., Desmet, P.G., Ebrahim, I., Guo, D., Harrower, A., Jabar, L., Knoetze, L., Rodgerson, C., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2023. Conophytum frutescens Schwantes. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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