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Scientific Name | Astridia velutina Dinter & Schwantes |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Astridia blanda L.Bolus, Astridia blanda L.Bolus var. angustata L.Bolus, Astridia blanda L.Bolus var. latipetala L.Bolus, Mesembryanthemum velutinum Dinter (later homonym), not of L.Bolus (1922) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable* B1ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2015/07/09 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Rare and localized in South Africa (national EOO 1501 km²), where it is known from four locations and declining due to severe overgrazing. As the South African population is continuous with the larger, stable Namibian population, the national status is downgraded by one category following IUCN regional assessment procedures. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | Southern Namibia to the north-eastern Richtersveld. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Lekkersing Succulent Shrubland, Western Gariep Lowland Desert, Noms Mountain Desert |
Description | Gravelly soil on rocky slopes. |
Threats |
| This species is threatened by severe overgrazing across its range. Most of the Richtersveld is severely overstocked with livestock, which has led to a loss of shrub cover and species diversity, as well as erosion due to trampling. Many succulent species dependent on shelter from nurse shrubs are now exposed, and decline rapidly as a result. Field observations indicate that this species is browsed by livestock. |
Population |
This species has a limited distribution in South Africa, and is declining across its range. The South African population is continuous with Namibia, where this species is more widespread, and not threatened.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Astridia velutina Dinter & Schwantes | VU* B1ab(iii,v) | 2015.1 | |
Bibliography |
Glen, H.F. 1986. Numerical taxonomic studies in the subtribe Ruschiinae (Mesembryanthemaceae) - Astridia, Acrodon and Ebracteola. Bothalia 16(2):203-226.
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. 2015. Astridia velutina Dinter & Schwantes. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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