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Scientific Name | Hesperantha helmei Goldblatt & J.C.Manning |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Rare |
Assessment Date | 2021/06/01 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo, N.A. Helme & T. Patel |
Justification | This is a rare habitat specialist, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 893 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 16 km². It is known from three subpopulations but it is not threatened. Globally, it is listed as Least Concern, and nationally, as Rare. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape |
Range | It is endemic to South Africa, and is restricted to the southern edge of the Great Escarpment around Graaff-Reinet in Eastern Cape, where it occurs on the Toorberg, Nardousberg and Sneeuberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Karoo Escarpment Grassland |
Description | It is accustomed to high elevations in rocky grassland among dolerite boulders. The habitat burns regularly every few years during the dry season and is covered with snow in winter. |
Threats |
| There are no known threats to this species. |
Population |
It is a very localized habitat specialist, occurring at very low densities. It is known from three subpopulations and less than 50 plants were observed in the type locality in 2004. The population is stable.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Hesperantha helmei Goldblatt & J.C.Manning | Rare | 2017.1 | | Hesperantha helmei Goldblatt & J.C.Manning | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Bredenkamp, C. In prep. Conspectus of the flora of the Eastern cape. Strelitzia.
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2007. New species and notes on Hesperantha (Iridaceae) in southern Africa. Bothalia 37(2):177-182.
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
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 |
| Raimondo, D., Helme, N.A. & Patel, T. 2021. Hesperantha helmei Goldblatt & J.C.Manning. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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