Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Tetragonia portulacoides Fenzl
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
AIZOACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020/03/03
Assessor(s)
L. von Staden
Justification
Tetragonia portulacoides is a widespread species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 123 698 km². It is declining in parts of its range, but not yet in danger of extinction, and is therefore listed as Least Concern.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape
Range
This species is endemic to South Africa, and is found from the Bokkeveld Escarpment near Nieuwoudtville in the Northern Cape southwards to the Cape Flats, and eastwards along the southern Cape coast as far as Humansdorp.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Breede Alluvium Fynbos, Hopefield Sand Fynbos, Atlantis Sand Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, Albertinia Sand Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Overberg Dune Strandveld, Breede Alluvium Renosterveld, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos, Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos, Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos, Hartenbos Dune Thicket, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Swartland Granite Renosterveld, Southern Cape Dune Fynbos, Swellendam Silcrete Fynbos, Saldanha Flats Strandveld, Breede Sand Fynbos
Description
It occurs on open sandy flats at low altitudes.
Threats
Fynbos on the Western Cape's coastal lowlands have been extensively transformed and fragmented, mainly due to agriculture and urban expansion. More than 40% of this species' habitat is irreversibly modified, and loss continues. Many subpopulations of Tetragonia portulacoides are also threatened by competition from alien invasive plants.
Population

There is no information available on the population of this species.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Tetragonia portulacoides FenzlLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Adamson, R.S. 1955. The South African species of Aizoaceae. II. Tetragonia. Journal of South African Botany 21(3):109-149.


Fenzl, E. 1861. Mesembryaceae: Tetragonia. In: W.H. Harvey and O.W. Sonder (eds). Flora Capensis II (Leguminosae to Loranthaceae):460-469. Hodges, Smith and Co., Dublin.


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.


Snijman, D.A. 2013. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Citation
von Staden, L. 2020. Tetragonia portulacoides Fenzl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/09

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Distribution map

© C. Merry

© C. Merry


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