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Scientific Name | Roepera fuscata (Van Zyl) Beier & Thulin |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ZYGOPHYLLACEAE |
Synonyms | Zygophyllum fuscatum Van Zyl |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2016/12/02 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo, D.A. Kamundi & L. von Staden |
Justification | A range-restricted species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3805 km². It is known from fewer than 10 locations and is declining due to ongoing habitat loss to coastal development and competition from alien invasive plants. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs from Betty's Bay to De Hoop. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Dune Strandveld |
Description | Plants grow in sand and limestone fynbos and strandveld on coastal flats, 0-300 m. |
Threats |
This species is somewhat resilient to disturbance as well as grazing (Van Zyl 2000). However, it is losing habitat to coastal development around Betty's Bay and Arniston. Much of its coastal habitat is also densely infested with unmanaged alien invasive plants, which outcompete native species. |
Population |
This species is confined to a narrow coastal strip, where populations consist of many scattered individuals including seedlings and young plants. It requires direct sunlight and is a pioneer of disturbed areas along roadsides (Van Zyl 2000).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | Zygophyllum fuscatum Van Zyl | VU D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Beier, B.-A., Chase, M. and Thulin, M. 2003. Phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of subfamily Zygophylloideae (Zygophyllaceae) based on molecular and morphological data. Plant Systematics and Evolution 240(1-4):11-39.
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., Manning, J.C. and Snijman, D. 2005. Cape Plants: corrections and additions to the flora. 1. Bothalia 35(1):35-46.
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.
Van Zyl, L. 2000. A systematic revision of Zygophyllum (Zygophyllaceae) in the southern African region. Unpublished PhD, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch.
Van Zyl, L. and Marais, E.M. 1997. Two new species of Zygophyllum (Zygophyllaceae) from the Western Cape, South Africa. Bothalia 27(2):129-133.
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Citation |
Raimondo, D., Kamundi, D.A. & von Staden, L. 2016. Roepera fuscata (Van Zyl) Beier & Thulin. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/09 |