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Scientific Name | Micranthus cruciatus Goldblatt & J.C.Manning |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened D2 |
Assessment Date | 2022/05/31 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali |
Justification | This local endemic has a very restricted area of occupancy (AOO) 24 km². It is potentially threatened by agricultural runoff (herbicides and fertilizer) and groundwater abstraction at sites near agricultural fields, as well as competition from alien invasive plants which are already present in low densities in some parts of its range. It nearly meets the Vulnerable category, therefore, it is listed as Near Threatened under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species is restricted to the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces of South Africa, occurring from the northern Cederberg to the Bokkeveld Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on rocky slopes in seeps on sandy soil over sandstone pavement. |
Threats |
| There are no significant threats to this species, but subpopulations that occur near agricultural fields are potentially threatened by agricultural runoff (herbicides and fertilizer), groundwater abstraction, and competition from alien invasive plants. |
Population |
This rare species is known from very few collections. It may have been overlooked as it flowers in midsummer when little collecting is undertaken (Goldblatt et al. 2013). Population trend and size is unknown, but about 200 plants were observed at Klipopmekaar in 2019. Extensive field surveys and monitoring in suitable habitat is required.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P., Manning, J.C. and Gereau, R.E. 2013. The Cape genus Micranthus (Iridaceae: Crocoideae), nomenclature and taxonomy. Bothalia 43(2):127-144.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H. 2022. Micranthus cruciatus Goldblatt & J.C.Manning. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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