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Scientific Name | Kniphofia flammula Codd |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | ASPHODELACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2015/08/11 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | An extremely localized species (EOO 10 km²), known from four locations and declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | Northern KwaZulu-Natal, between Glencoe and Dannhauser. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Northern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland |
Description | Grassland, on edges of wetlands amongst dense, tall grasses and sedges, not in permanent standing water. |
Threats |
| Dam construction is the most severe threat to this species, with at least one subpopulation already lost when the habitat was flooded following dam construction. Damming also disrupts water flow to wetland systems, which lead to drying of downstream wetlands and a reduction in the extent of habitat available to this species. Additional threats include habitat degradation due to overgrazing and trampling of wetland systems by livestock, and inappropriate fire management. The habitat is susceptible to alien plant invasion, and many wetlands in the area are already partially encroached with unmanaged alien invasive plants. |
Population |
Kniphofia flammula is extremely localized to wetland systems north-west of Glencoe. It is known from a large number of historical collections, but most are from the same locality, where the subpopulation is now locally extinct due to dam construction. Recent field observations indicate that it persists within two extensive wetland systems spanning a number of properties, with at least one large subpopulation of more than 1000 mature individuals.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Not currently conserved in any formally protected area. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Kniphofia flammula Codd | EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Kniphofia flammula Codd | VU | Scott-Shaw (1999) | | Kniphofia flammula Codd | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Kniphofia flammula Codd | Vulnerable | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Codd, L.E. 1960. Kniphofia flammula. Flowering Plants of Africa 34:t.1326.
Codd, L.E. 2005. Asphodelaceae (First part): Kniphofia. In: G. Germishuizen and B.A. Momberg (eds). Flora of southern Africa 5 Part 1, Fascicle 2:1-91. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical 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.
Scott-Shaw, C.R. 1999. Rare and threatened plants of KwaZulu-Natal and neighbouring regions. KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service, Pietermaritzburg.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2015. Kniphofia flammula Codd. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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