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Scientific Name | Vachellia ormocarpoides (P.J.H.Hurter) Kyal. & Boatwr. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
Synonyms | Acacia ormocarpoides P.J.H.Hurter |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened D2 |
Assessment Date | 2022/02/28 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden, P.J.D. Winter, D. Raimondo & P.A. Manyama |
Justification | This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 300 km², but is locally quite common. It is estimated at five to 10 locations. It is potentially threatened by harvesting for firewood, habitat degradation due to overgrazing and mining, but no continuing decline has been observed or is suspected. It is therefore assessed as Near Threatened under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Limpopo |
Range | It occurs in Northern Leolo Mountains, Sekhukhuneland. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Savanna |
Description | Plants grow in sandy or loamy soils between norite boulders. |
Threats |
| According to Hurter (2005) V. ormocarpoides qualifies for the category Endangered due to its restricted geographical distribution, the threat of extreme overgrazing and extensive mining activities. However, observations by the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW), in February 2008, revealed that this species is more widespread than previously thought, although the known range remains quite restricted, and locally common. Although it is likely to be utilized as firewood there are at present no signs of this tree being harvested, even very close to villages, where harvesting of other tree species were observed. It is likely that the wood is not very good firewood, or otherwise resprouts after cutting (P.J.D. Winter pers. comm.). However, as the population in the area increases the pressure on the natural resources will also increase and it is therefore likely to be harvested in future when other more suitable trees becomes more scarce. The habitat is being degraded by severe overgrazing, but at present this is restricted to the plains and is not yet impacting higher lying areas in the mountains as severely (D. Raimondo pers. obs.). Mining has not impacted on the population in the past — there are no mines near the known subpopulations, but as this species occurs on mineral rich norite soils mining is a potential future threat. |
Population |
Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Vachellia ormocarpoides (P.J.H.Hurter) Kyal. & Boatwr. | NT D2 | 2015.1 | | Acacia ormocarpoides P.J.H.Hurter | NT D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Hurter, P.J.H. 2005. Notes on African plants: Acacia ormocarpoides (Mimosoideae), a new species from Sekhukhuneland, South Africa. Bothalia 35(2):157-173.
Kyalangalilwa, B., Boatwright, J.S., Daru, B.H., Maurin, O. and van der Bank, M. 2013. Phylogenetic position and revised classification of Acacia s.l. (Fabaceae: Mimosoideae) in Africa, including new combinations in Vachellia and Senegalia. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 172(4):500-523.
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 |
| von Staden, L., Winter, P.J.D., Raimondo, D. & Manyama, P.A. 2022. Vachellia ormocarpoides (P.J.H.Hurter) Kyal. & Boatwr. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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