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Scientific Name | Hesperantha brevifolia Goldblatt |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(ii,iii) |
Assessment Date | 2023/05/25 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo |
Justification | This species has only been recorded five times with no records made since 1994, it is however a cryptic species that is locally common after fire but otherwise difficult to observe. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 2068 km². While there are five locations that have been recorded it is likely that a few other undiscovered locations exist and between five and ten locations are suspected. Some subpopulations particularly those in the northern parts of its range are experiencing ongoing loss of habitat for crop cultivation. It therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to South Africa, where it is found in the Western Cape province extending from the slopes of the Nardousberg, north of Clanwilliam to Tulbagh and the mountains north of Bain's Kloof. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Fynbos, Grassland |
Description | It occurs on mountain slopes. |
Threats |
| Some of this species habitat has been lost to agriculture, with the northern most subpopulations located on the Nardouwsberg being threatened by habitat loss for rooibos tea cultivation. |
Population |
Known from five subpopulations, this species was last recorded in 1994. There are no indications of population numbers, other than being recorded as locally common after fires in 1979. The species is evidently rare.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Hesperantha brevifolia Goldblatt | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
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.
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. 2023. Hesperantha brevifolia Goldblatt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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