Groot Skerpioenbos

Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Mesembryanthemum pseudoschlichtianum (S.M.Pierce & Gerbaulet) Klak
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
AIZOACEAE
Synonyms
Brownanthus pseudoschlichtianus S.M.Pierce & Gerbaulet
Common Names
Groot Skerpioenbos (a)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2022/07/05
Assessor(s)
D. Raimondo, N.A. Helme, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N. Jurgens
Justification
A Succulent Karroo species that occurs in both Namibia and South Africa, it has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 28 002 km², and is known from more than 30 locations. While the population has declined extensively over the past five years as a result of drought-related mortality it is expected to recover based on observed fluctuations of population sizes from 40 years of monitoring work undertaken by the BIOTA long term observation project. TThe levels of loss of habitat to mining are not extensive enough to qualify this species under any category of threat. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.
Distribution
Endemism
Not endemic to South Africa
Provincial distribution
Northern Cape
Range
It is widely distributed in southern Namibia and northern Namaqualand.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Desert, Succulent Karoo
Description
It grows on plains or foothills and is usually found in deep sand.
Threats
In some parts of its range it is declining as a result of habitat loss to mining. A high rate of mortality of mature individuals (over 90% of individuals) has also been observed within the South African portion of the range due to the worst drought on record that has occurred in most parts of its range. The drought started in 2012 and is still ongoing at the time of assessment. However despite high levels of mortality this species is expected to recover as it has good seed banks and recruitment is rapid.
Population

Hundreds of million of plants have been observed dead on the plains of the Ricthersveld region as a result of drought, however this species has a life history that enables it to recover following drought, seeds have long dormancy and regeneration is rapid, the current declines are thus not expected to be long-term.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Brownanthus pseudoschlichtianus S.M.Pierce & GerbauletLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Jürgens, N., Schmiedel, U., Haarmeyer, D.H., Dengler, J., Finckh, M., Goetze, D., Gröngröft, A., Hahn, K., Koulibaly, A., Luther-Mosebach, J. and Muche, G. 2012. The BIOTA Biodiversity Observatories in Africa—a standardized framework for large-scale environmental monitoring. Environmental monitoring and assessment 184(2):655-678.


Klak, C., Bruyns, P.V. and Hedderson, T.A.J. 2007. A phylogeny and new classification for Mesembryanthemoideae (Aizoaceae). Taxon 56(3):737-756.


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.


Citation
Raimondo, D., Helme, N.A., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Jurgens, N. 2022. Mesembryanthemum pseudoschlichtianum (S.M.Pierce & Gerbaulet) Klak. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13

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Distribution map


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