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Scientific Name | Gladiolus geardii L.Bolus |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
Synonyms | Gladiolus geardii L.Bolus var. uitenhagensis L.Bolus, Gladiolus robustus Goldblatt |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2018/10/02 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Gladiolus geardii is a range-restricted species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1608 km². It is a fairly common habitat specialist, known from 10-15 locations. It has lost habitat to timber plantations in the past, and is currently threatened by competition from alien invasive plants, mostly on the Van Stadensberg. Subpopulations in the Baviaanskloof are not currently threatened. It is therefore listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Eastern Cape of South Africa, where it occurs in the Baviaanskloof, Groot Winterhoek, Kouga and Van Stadens River Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos, Kouga Sandstone Fynbos, Vanstadens Forest Thicket, Loerie Conglomerate Fynbos, Algoa Sandstone Fynbos, Albany Alluvial Vegetation, Sundays Valley Thicket, Sundays Mesic Thicket, Elands Forest Thicket |
Description | It is localized to montane seeps, stream banks, shady kloofs and ravines with peaty, sandstone soil. |
Threats |
| Gladiolus geardii has lost habitat to timber plantations in the past, but there has been no further habitat loss recorded over 24 years (1990-2014). Subpopulations near the edges of plantations are threatened by competition from escaped pine seedlings, which are known to rapidly invade sandstone fynbos in the Western Cape. Recent field observations by volunteer members of the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) indicate the presence of invasive pine and eucalyptus in this species' habitat. |
Population |
This species is a highly localized habitat specialist, but it can be locally common (N.A. Helme pers. obs. 2001). A continuing decline is inferred from competition from alien invasive plants.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Gladiolus geardii L.Bolus | NT B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) | 2020.1 | | Gladiolus geardii L.Bolus | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Gladiolus robustus Goldblatt | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 1998. Gladiolus in southern Africa. Fernwood Press, Vlaeberg.
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.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical 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 |
| von Staden, L. 2018. Gladiolus geardii L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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