Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aristea simplex Weim.
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
IRIDACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Near Threatened B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)
Assessment Date
2021/03/05
Assessor(s)
D. Raimondo & P. Goldblatt
Justification
This Western Cape endemic is known from a restricted area of occupancy (<200 km²). It is difficult to assess due to it only flowering after fire so it is possible that there are a number of undiscovered locations. Currently between 10 and 12 locations are known. Since it occurs only on clay soils where it has lost significant amounts of habitat to agriculture and the habitat loss is ongoing, this species nearly qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B and is listed as Near Threatened.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
The species has a widespread distribution in the southwestern and southern Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it occurs from Witzenberg to George and Swartberg mountains.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Mossel Bay Shale Renosterveld, Kouebokkeveld Shale Fynbos
Description
It occurs on lower slopes and on clay and loam flats.
Threats
Subpopulations occurring on flats around Kuilsriver, and between Swellendam and Mossel Bay have lost habitat to agriculture in the past, and are currently threatened by inappropriate fire management (infrequent fire) and ongoing slow transformation to agriculture. On the mountains it is threatened by invasive species spreading uncontrolled into remaining wild fynbos, where they outcompete native species.
Population

There is no population information available but the population trend is inferred to be declining due to the ongoing threats occurring throughout the species' range.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aristea simplex Weim.NT B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)Raimondo et al. (2009)
Aristea simplex Weim.Not Threatened Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Aristea simplex Weim.Uncertain Hall et al. (1980)
Bibliography

Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.


Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Manning, J., Goldblatt, P. and Snijman, D. 2002. The color encyclopedia of Cape bulbs. Timber Press, Portland/Cambridge.


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.


Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.


Citation
Raimondo, D. & Goldblatt, P. 2021. Aristea simplex Weim. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14

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Distribution map

© J.H. Vlok/A.L. Schutte-Vlok


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