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Scientific Name | Brachystelma filifolium (N.E.Br.) Peckover |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | APOCYNACEAE |
Synonyms | Tenaris filifolia N.E.Br. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2017/08/31 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Brachystelma filifolium is a widespread species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) 30 959 km², that is rarely recorded. It is easily overlooked, and may be more common than records suggest. It is threatened in places, but not yet in danger of extinction. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga |
Range | This species occurs from Tzaneen in Limpopo Province to the Lebombo Mountains at Jozini in KwaZulu-Natal. It also occurs in Swaziland and is likely to also occur in southern Mozambique. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Swaziland Sour Bushveld, Legogote Sour Bushveld, Western Maputaland Clay Bushveld, Tzaneen Sour Bushveld, Tshokwane-Hlane Basalt Lowveld, Granite Lowveld, Makatini Clay Thicket, Pretoriuskop Sour Bushveld |
Description | It occurs in crevices in rocks on grassy hillsides. |
Threats |
| It is threatened in places by habitat loss to urban expansion, particularly around Nelspruit and White River. Its preference for rocky crevices means that it is not affected by agriculture or timber plantations. Granite quarrying is also causing some habitat loss. This species' sensitivity to grazing is not known. |
Population |
This is a widespread but rarely recorded species. Plants are cryptic and easily overlooked. Local population declines due to habitat loss is suspected.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Brachystelma filifolium (N.E.Br.) Peckover | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Brown, N.E. 1909. Asclepiadeae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis IV Section I (Vacciniaceae to Gentianeae):518-1036. Lovell Reeve & Co., Ltd., London.
Peckover, R.G. 1996. The inclusion of the genera Tenaris E.Mey. and Macropetalum Burch. ex. Decne. into Brachystelma R.Br. Aloe 33(2&3):41-43.
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.
Retief, E. and Herman, P.P.J. 1997. Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: keys and diagnostic characters. Strelitzia 6. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2017. Brachystelma filifolium (N.E.Br.) Peckover. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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