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Scientific Name | Mestoklema tuberosum (L.) N.E.Br. ex Glen |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Delosperma tuberosum (L.) Schwantes, Mesembryanthemum macrorrhizum Haw., not of DC. (1828), Mesembryanthemum megarhizum G.Don, Mesembryanthemum tuberosum L., Mestoklema macrorrhizum (DC.) Schwantes ex Glen, Mestoklema tuberosum (L.) N.E.Br. ex Glen var. macrorrhizum (Haw.) N.E.Br. ex Glen, Mestoklema tuberosum N.E.Br. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2022/10/31 |
Assessor(s) | N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This species is quite widespread and has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 404 844 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 384 km². While there is initial evidence of illegal collection, it is still common occurring in more than 50 locations. It therefore qualifies as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Free State, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape |
Range | This species' distribution stretches from south of Namibia to the Little Karoo and Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kimberley Thornveld, Steytlerville Karoo, Eastern Upper Karoo, Eastern Lower Karoo, Bedford Dry Grassland, Karoo Escarpment Grassland, Central Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Southern Karoo Riviere, Sundays Mesic Thicket, Oudshoorn Karroid Thicket, Fish Valley Thicket, Baviaans Valley Thicket |
Description | Plants occur as dense scrubs in alluvial soils. |
Threats |
| This species is threatened by the illegal collection of wild specimens to supply the horticulture trade. In 2019, 748 wild collected plants were seized at a South African nursery. A further 4 000 plants exported from the same facility between 2012-2018 are strongly suspected to have been of wild origin. Habitat loss due to agriculture (crops) and infrastructure development (human settlement, transport and mining) is an additional threat facing subpopulations of this species. Livestock grazing may potentially reduce the quality of available habitat for this species. |
Population |
This species is widespread occurring in more than 50 locations but the population is declining due to habitat loss and degradation as well as the illegal collection of specimens for the ornamental horticulture trade.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Mestoklema tuberosum (L.) N.E.Br. ex Glen | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Bredenkamp, C.L. 2019. A flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
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.
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.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation |
| Mhlongo, N.N. 2022. Mestoklema tuberosum (L.) N.E.Br. ex Glen. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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