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Scientific Name | Conophytum limpidum S.A.Hammer |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A4d |
Assessment Date | 2023/10/24 |
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 with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3,543 km² and area of occupancy (AOO) of 76 km². The population is experiencing initial levels of decline due to the illegal ornamental succulent plant trade, with collection likely to increase as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. The continued threat of illegal collection is therefore regarded as high for this particular species. This species has a semi-subterranean habit and is dispersed across numerous locations, both of which may limit declines to between 50 and 75% of the population within the next three generations (90 years). Climate change is also likely to impact the population although there is uncertainty of the response given the expected resilience of this taxon. It therefore qualifies as Endangered under criterion A4. |
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 | Bushmanland Inselberg Shrubland, Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland |
Description | This dwarf succulent is widespread across the Succulent Karoo, Nama-Karoo and Desert biomes. The plants are associated with Bushmanland inselbergs where they generally prefer shaded niches, e.g., in vertical crevices. 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 species is currently threatened by illegal collection for the international trade in ornamental succulents. This is likely to increase in future as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019 resulting in a suspected population decline of 50-75% in three generations (90 years).
Anthropogenic climate change is 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 34% and 73% by 2080 for this species. However, as this taxon possesses certain morphological traits likely to afford resilience to xerophytic conditions and is found across several vegetation units it is expected to have a level of resilience to climate change and the expected population loss is reduced by 20% to 14%. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. Mining and associated activities represent a localised threat to some localised subpopulations. |
Population |
There are no formal estimates of population size for this species but the number of mature individuals is likely to be between 10,000 and 50,000. The population is experiencing initial levels of decline due to illegal collection for the ornamental succulent plant trade.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum limpidum S.A.Hammer | NT D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
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 limpidum S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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