Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aloe falcata Baker
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
ASPHODELACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018/10/31
Assessor(s)
H. Mtshali, J.E. Victor & E.J. van Jaarsveld
Justification
Aloe falcata is a widespread and common species. In spite of some historical decline due to succulent collecting and overgrazing, it is not in danger of extinction.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Northern Cape, Western Cape
Range
This species is widespread across Namaqualand and the Richtersveld in north-western South Africa, from the lower Gariep Valley to Klawer and the northern Roggeveld Escarpment near Calvinia.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Succulent Karoo
Description
It occurs on dry sandy flats in succulent karoo.
Threats
Hilton-Taylor (1996) listed A. falcata as vulnerable. Van Wyk and Smith (1996) also consider the species vulnerable (possibly following Hilton-Taylor) due to illegal collection of wild plants and habitat degradation due to overgrazing. According to E. van Jaarsveld (pers. comm.), this species is neither vulnerable nor rare, and there are many subpopulations in good condition around Calvinia and in Namaqualand. As the species was found to be more common and widespread than previously thought, Van Wyk and Smith (2003) considers it not threatened.
Population
Population trend
Stable
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aloe falcata BakerLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Aloe falcata BakerLower Risk - Near Threatened Victor (2002)
Aloe falcata BakerVulnerable Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Glen, H.F. and Hardy, D.S. 2000. Aloaceae (First part): Aloe. In: G. Germishuizen (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 5 Part 1, Fascicle 1:1-159. National Botanical 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.


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


Klopper, R.R. and Smith, G.F. 2007. The genus Aloe (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) in Namaqualand, South Africa. Haseltonia 13:38-51.


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.


Smith, G.F., Steyn, E.M.A., Victor, J.E., Crouch, N.R., Golding, J.S. and Hilton-Taylor, C. 2000. Aloaceae: The conservation status of Aloe in South Africa: an updated synopsis. Bothalia 30(2):206-211.


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


Van Wyk, B.-E. and Smith, G. 1996. Guide to the aloes of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.


Van Wyk, B.-E. and Smith, G. 2003. Guide to aloes of South Africa. (2nd ed.). Briza Publications, 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
Mtshali, H., Victor, J.E. & van Jaarsveld, E.J. 2018. Aloe falcata Baker. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/07/01

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