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Scientific Name | Aristea grandis Weim. |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
Common Names | Giant Blue-eyed Grass (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2021/06/07 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali |
Justification | This species is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal where it is restricted to coastal grasslands that occur near Durban. The extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) is <10 km², and is known from one to two locations (the Inanda subpopulation may be extinct as it was last recorded here in 1880). The habitat is under threat from urban development and infrequent fires. No population data are available, but population decline is inferred from the ongoing loss and degradation of habitat. This species is therefore listed as Critically Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | This species has a restricted distribution to coastal areas in the province of KwaZulu-Natal where it occurs from Inanda to Kloof-Hillcrest area. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Forest, Grassland, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt |
Description | It occurs in coastal grassland. |
Threats |
| The grassland habitat suited to this species has been lost to urban development. The remaining grasslands continues to decline due to infrequent fires, which may result in failed recruitment. |
Population |
This species is known from the type collection made at Inanda in 1880 and an iNaturalist observation from Hillcrest made in 2022. No population data are available, but the species is rare where it occurs. The population is inferred to be declining due to habitat loss and degradation especially at Inanda where the type collection was made. Monitoring is required to establish the current size of the population.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aristea grandis Weim. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Pooley, E. 2003. Mountain flowers: a field guide to the flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
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.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H. 2021. Aristea grandis Weim. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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