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Scientific Name | Conophytum obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. rolfii (de Boer) S.A.Hammer |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Conophytum lambertense Schick & Tischer (in part), Conophytum lambertense Schick & Tischer var. rolfii (de Boer) Rawé, Conophytum rolfii de Boer |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A4d; B1ab(v)+2ab(v) |
Assessment Date | 2021/12/01 |
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 Western Cape of South Africa with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 54 km2 and area of occupancy (AOO) of 32 km2. It is known from only five locations. The population is in decline due to illegal collection for the 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 very high with the small number of locations (five) occupied by this succulent suggesting that a decline of 50-75% of the population is likely within the next three generations (90 years). While climate change is also likely to impact this taxon the rapid declines to the population as a result of illegal collection means it qualifies as Endangered under criteria A4 and B1+2. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This succulent is endemic to a small area along the Atlantic coast of the Western Cape of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | This succulent is restricted to a small area of the Fynbos biome where a few subpopulations are found near the Atlantic coast. The dominant habitat is sandstone where the plants often occupy shallow weathered depressions filled with sandy grit.
This taxon 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 taxon is in decline as it has been subject to illegal collection of mature individuals for the international trade in ornamental succulents since 2019. This succulent has been highly sought after by collectors and is highly likely to remain so in future. As a result a population decline of 50-75% is suspected over three generations (90 years).
There is no decline in habitat quality for this taxon 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). However, anthropogenic climate change is a long-term threat to this succulent. 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 26% and 57% by 2080 for this taxon. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population |
It is locally common, but occurs at only five locations typically small hills or isolated areas of bare rock separated by 2-15 km. There are no formal estimates of population size for this taxon but there are likely between 50,000 and 100,000 mature individuals. 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 obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. rolfii (de Boer) S.A.Hammer | Rare | 2017.1 | | Conophytum obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. rolfii (de Boer) S.A.Hammer | Least Concern | 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. 2021. Conophytum obcordellum (Haw.) N.E.Br. subsp. rolfii (de Boer) S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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