|
Scientific Name | Afroaster bowiei (Harv.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ASTERACEAE |
Synonyms | Aster bowiei Harv. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) |
Assessment Date | 2016/01/21 |
Assessor(s) | N.A. Helme, D. Raimondo & L. von Staden |
Justification | A rare, localized species last seen in 1962. It has lost most of its habitat to timber plantations and is possibly extinct. However, no dedicated searches have been recently done to determine whether any subpopulations have survived. Thorough surveys of remaining habitat is needed to determine whether this species is extinct or not. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Lower south-facing slopes of the Langeberg near Heidelberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | Grassy fynbos, lower slopes, 300-600 m. |
Threats |
| Timber plantations have caused habitat loss at all three known locations. Plantations are no longer expanding within the known range of this species, but remaining habitat is often densely infested with alien invasive plants, especially near plantations, where escaping pine seedlings spread into adjacent fynbos. |
Population |
This species is known from only three collections, the most recent dating from 1962. It appears to be a very localized endemic. It may be overlooked, but very little habitat remains within its known range. Surveys are urgently needed to determine whether any subpopulations survive. It possibly occurs within the Grootvadersbos Nature Reserve.
|
Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Afroaster bowiei (Harv.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt | CR PE | 2017.1 | | Afroaster bowiei (Harv.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt | VU D2 | 2014.1 | | Aster bowiei Harv. | VU D2 | 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.
Lippert, W. 1973. Revision der gattung Aster in Afrika. Mitteilungen der Botanischen Staatssammlung München 11:153-258.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. 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.
Roessler, H. 1959. Revision der Arctotideae-Gorteriinae (Compositae). Mitteilungen der Botanischen Staatssammlung München 3:71-500.
|
Citation |
| Helme, N.A., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2016. Afroaster bowiei (Harv.) J.C.Manning & Goldblatt. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
Comment on this assessment
