Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Tenaxia aureocephala (J.G.Anderson) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
POACEAE
Synonyms
Danthonia aureocephala J.G.Anderson, Merxmuellera aureocephala (J.G.Anderson) Conert
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018/05/29
Assessor(s)
L. von Staden
Justification
Tenaxia aureocephala is a range-restricted, but locally common species, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1762 km². It is not in danger of extinction, and is therefore listed as Least Concern.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
KwaZulu-Natal
Range
This species is endemic to the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg Mountain between Underberg and Bergville in South Africa.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
uKhahlamba Basalt Grassland, Northern Drakensberg Highland Grassland, Southern Drakensberg Highland Grassland
Description
It occurs in dry, steep grassy slopes and ridges below summit cliffs, 2000-2900 m.
Threats
This species' habitat is well-protected and it has no severe threats.
Population

Tenaxia aureocephala is locally common in suitable habitat (Fish et al. 2015).


Population trend
Stable
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Merxmuellera aureocephala (J.G.Anderson) ConertLeast Concern 2012.1
Merxmuellera aureocephala (J.G.Anderson) ConertLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Merxmuellera aureocephala (J.G.Anderson) ConertLower Risk - Least Concern Scott-Shaw (1999)
Bibliography

Anderson, J.G. 1964. GRAMINEAE: Danthonia aureocephala. Bothalia 8(2):170-172.


Fish, L., Mashau, A.C., Moeaha, M.J. and Nembudani, M.T. 2015. Identification guide to southern African grasses. Strelitzia 36. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Linder, H.P., Baeza, M., Barker, N.P., Galley, C., Humphreys, A.M., Lloyd, K.M., Orlovich, D.A., Pirie, M.D., Simon, B.K., Walsh, N. and Verboom, G.A. 2010. A generic classification of the Danthonioideae (Poaceae). Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 97(3):306-364.


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.


Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg.


Citation
von Staden, L. 2018. Tenaxia aureocephala (J.G.Anderson) N.P.Barker & H.P.Linder. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/16

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Distribution map


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