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Scientific Name | Delosperma sphalmanthoides S.A.Hammer |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2016/11/29 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Delosperma sphalmanthoides is a rare, localized habitat specialist, known from two to three locations and potentially threatened by habitat degradation due to overstocking of rangelands for livestock. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 56 km², and is listed as Vulnerable under criteria D2. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to South Africa, and is found in Roggeveld Escarpment near Sutherland. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Roggeveld Shale Renosterveld |
Description | It occurs in shallow soils over shale rocks, 1 500-1 600 m. |
Threats |
| This species' preference for shallow soils on rock sheets provides it protection against habitat loss to crop cultivation, as its habitat is not suitable to ploughing. It is however vulnerable to grazing and trampling by livestock. Parts of the Roggeveld Escarpment is degraded due to overgrazing, and this species could potentially decline, should grazing pressure on its habitat increase. |
Population |
Delosperma sphalmanthoides is a rare and localized habitat specialist. It is known from two to three subpopulations within a very small area, but the population is not suspected to be declining.
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Population trend | Stable |
Notes |
| Delosperma sphalmanthoides is a most unusual and distinctive species. Hammer (2006) suggests that it may not belong in Delosperma, but does not propose an alternative genus. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Delosperma sphalmanthoides S.A.Hammer | VU D2 | 2017.1 | | Delosperma sphalmanthoides S.A.Hammer | Data Deficient (Taxonomically Problematic) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Hammer, S. 1993. A new dwarf Delosperma from the Cape Province. Cactus and Succulent Journal (USA) 65(3):123-125.
Hammer, S. 2006. Finders, keepers, and some Lavranian adjustments in Mesembryanthema. Cactus and Succulent Journal 78(2):66-68.
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.
Snijman, D.A. 2013. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2016. Delosperma sphalmanthoides S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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