Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Merremia malvaefolia Rendle
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
CONVOLVULACEAE
Synonyms
Ipomoea malvaefolia (Rendle) Baker
National Status
Status and Criteria
Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct)
Assessment Date
2011/10/12
Assessor(s)
J.E. Victor & L. von Staden
Justification
Merremia malvaefolia has not been collected for more than 100 years, and is known from only a few collections without precise locality details. Recent searches in the coastal hills around Port Alfred, where this species is presumed to occur, revealed that the habitat is excessively transformed and if it was confined to this area, it is quite likely extinct. Further searches in similar suitable habitat between Port Alfred and East London are ongoing.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Eastern Cape
Range
Port Alfred.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
South Eastern Coastal Thornveld, Albany Mesic Thicket
Description
Sandy hills and flats near the coast, possibly confined to river mouths or wetlands.
Threats
Coastal hills and flats within the known range of this species are excessively degraded and transformed as a result of alien invasive plants and urban expansion.
Population
Population trend
Unknown
Conservation
Not currently conserved in any formally protected area.
Notes
Field surveys were supported by the Botanical Education Trust.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Merremia malvaefolia RendleData Deficient 2011.1
Merremia malvaefolia RendleData Deficient Raimondo et al. (2009)
Merremia malvaefolia RendleData Deficient Victor (2002)
Merremia malvaefolia RendleInsufficiently Known Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Baker, J.G. and Wright, C.H. 1904. Convolvulaceae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis IV Section II (Hydrophyllaceae to Pedalineae):45-87. Lovell Reeve & Co., Ltd., London.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Meeuse, A. 1957. The South African Convolvulaceae. Bothalia 6(4):1-151.


Meeuse, A.D.J. and Welman, W.G. 2000. Convolvulaceae. In: G. Germishuizen (ed). Flora of southern Africa 28 Part 1:1-138. 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.


Victor, J.E. 2002. South Africa. In: J.S. Golding (ed), Southern African plant Red Data Lists. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 14 (pp. 93-120), SABONET, Pretoria.


Citation
Victor, J.E. & von Staden, L. 2011. Merremia malvaefolia Rendle. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/23

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Distribution map

© A.P. Dold

© A.P. Dold


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