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Scientific Name | Eriospermum exigium P.L.Perry |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | RUSCACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Rare |
Assessment Date | 2023/11/23 |
Assessor(s) | R.R. Klopper, N.A. Helme, D. Raimondo & F. Munro |
Justification | This species is currently only known from two locations, extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occurrence (AOO) 8 km², but due to its tiny size it is likely to be overlooked. The Bokkeveld Escarpment and Gifberg are currently threatened by Rooibos tea cultivation and sandstone quarrying, however this species mostly occurs on sandstone pavements so most of its habitat is out of danger. Invasive alien plant species are a potential threat to existing locations. It is therefore listed under the IUCN 3.1 Criteria, globally, as Least Concern but is nationally categorised as Rare. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | It occurs on the Bokkeveld Escarpment between Vanrhyns Pass and Gifberg, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | This species grows in shallow soils in rock pockets on sandstone pavements. |
Threats |
| It is threatened by rooibos tea farming and sandstone quarrying. However, the species occurs mostly on sandstone pavements and is unlikely to be affected by these activities. Invasive alien plant species, such as Acacia cyclops and Agave americana, have been noted at low densities within this species' habitat and are likely to outcompete native species if not urgently cleared. |
Population |
The size of the population remains uncertain as there has been no new records or observations since 1982. It is known from two historical localities.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is conserved in Op de Berg Private Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Eriospermum exigium P.L.Perry | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Eriospermum exigium P.L.Perry | 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.
Helme, N. 2004. The vegetation of Matsikamma Mountain, with some comments on Endemicity. Plantlife 30:5-16.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Perry, P.L. 1994. A revision of the genus Eriospermum (Eriospermaceae) Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium 17:1-320.
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 |
| Klopper, R.R., Helme, N.A., Raimondo, D. & Munro, F. 2023. Eriospermum exigium P.L.Perry. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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