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Scientific Name | Ruschia amicorum (L.Bolus) Schwantes |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Mesembryanthemum amicorum L.Bolus |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) |
Assessment Date | 2016/01/13 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | A highly localized species (EOO based on historic records 97 km²), that was last recorded in the 1960s. It is possibly extinct, as very little intact habitat remains within its known range, but may also be overlooked. Surveys are needed to determine whether any subpopulations survive. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Montagu to Worcester. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Western Little Karoo, Robertson Karoo, Breede Shale Renosterveld, Montagu Shale Renosterveld |
Description | Uncertain, possibly shale on lower slopes. |
Threats |
| Threatened by ongoing habitat loss to urban expansion around Montagu and Ashton, as well as loss to agricultural expansion (mainly vineyards) in the Breede River Valley. |
Population |
A localized and poorly known species that was last recorded in the 1960s. It has lost habitat to urban and agricultural expansion at all known locations, and surveys are needed to determine if any subpopulations survive in remaining fragments. The genus Ruschia is in need of taxonomic revision, and species are difficult to identify, and therefore it may be overlooked.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Ruschia amicorum (L.Bolus) Schwantes | CR PE | 2017.1 | | Ruschia amicorum (L.Bolus) Schwantes | VU D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Ruschia amicorum (L.Bolus) Schwantes | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
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.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity 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. 2016. Ruschia amicorum (L.Bolus) Schwantes. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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