Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Hesperantha flava G.J.Lewis
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
IRIDACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Rare
Assessment Date
2023/07/19
Assessor(s)
D. Raimondo & T. Patel
Justification
This species occurs in small, sparse, disjunct subpopulations. Only six subpopulations have been recorded across a vast range (extent of occurrence 34 079 km²) and do not face any threats. It is therefore listed under the IUCN 3.1 Criteria, globally, as Least Concern but nationally as Rare.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Northern Cape
Range
It is endemic to South Africa, and extends from northern Namaqualand and the margins of the western Karoo in Northern Cape to the Laingsburg Karoo in Western Cape near Matjiesfontein.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Namaqualand Blomveld, Roggeveld Shale Renosterveld
Description
It occurs in a narrow band along the interior edge of the winter-rainfall zone, occurring mostly on clay soils. It is also found on stony soils of decomposing shale.
Threats
There are no significant threats to this species.
Population

This species is rare and very sparsely distributed and Is known from six subpopulations.


Population trend
Stable
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Hesperantha flava G.J.LewisRare Raimondo et al. (2009)
Hesperantha flava G.J.LewisRare Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Goldblatt, P. 1984. A revision of Hesperantha (Iridaceae) in the winter rainfall area of southern Africa. Journal of South African Botany 50:14-141.


Goldblatt, P. 2003. A synoptic review of the African genus Hesperantha (Iridaceae: Crocoideae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 90(3):390-443.


Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. South African National Biodiversity Institute, 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. & Patel, T. 2023. Hesperantha flava G.J.Lewis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13

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Distribution map

© J.H. Vlok/A.L. Schutte-Vlok

© J.H. Vlok/A.L. Schutte-Vlok


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