Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Brachystelma incanum R.A.Dyer
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
APOCYNACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)
Assessment Date
2022/12/01
Assessor(s)
N. Hahn & L. von Staden
Justification
A relatively widespread species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 13 437 km². It is, however, a very rare species and has lost a large proportion of its habitat to agriculture, urban expansion and mining. It is known from fewer than 10 locations and continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion B.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Free State, North West
Range
This species occurs in the North West and Free State provinces of South Africa, where it is distributed from Lichtenburg to Wolmaransstad and Sasolburg.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Central Free State Grassland, Carletonville Dolomite Grassland, Western Highveld Sandy Grassland, Klerksdorp Thornveld, Vaal-Vet Sandy Grassland
Description
Plants grow on sandy loam soils in thornveld and Themeda-grassland.
Threats
This species is threatened by ongoing habitat loss to agricultural expansion, urban expansion, mining and habitat degradation due to overgrazing. In 1976 Dyer (1976) expressed concern that the species is becoming increasingly rare due to much of its habitat being ploughed. The subpopulation at the type locality is possibly locally extinct due to habitat loss to crop fields (Hahn 2013). One subpopulation known from historical records falls within a diamond mining area, and it is not known whether it has survived the habitat destruction. One subpopulation has been cleared by collectors.
Population

This species is known from a few, widely scattered subpopulations. It is possibly overlooked, but more field surveys are needed to better understand the size and extent of the population. It is threatened by illegal collection and ongoing habitat loss and degradation and the population is therefore suspected to be declining across its range.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Brachystelma incanum R.A.DyerVU A2aRaimondo et al. (2009)
Brachystelma incanum R.A.DyerLower Risk - Least Concern Victor (2002)
Brachystelma incanum R.A.DyerIndeterminate Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Craib, C. 1993. Field studies and cultivation of some Brachystelma species in the eastern Cape, Natal, the eastern Free State (including Qua Qua), and the Transvaal. Excelsa 16:11-23.


Craib, C. and Batten, A. 1994. Brachystelma incanum. Flowering Plants of Africa 53:48-53 (t. 2090).


Dyer, R.A. 1976. Asclepiadaceae: new species of Brachystelma. Bothalia 12(1):53-57.


Dyer, R.A. 1980. Brachystelma, Ceropegia and Riocreuxia. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 27 Part 4:1-88. Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria.


Dyer, R.A. 1983. Ceropegia, Brachystelma and Riocreuxia in southern Africa. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands.


Hahn, N. 2013. Rare, endangered and endemic flora of the North West Province. Unpublished Report to the Department of Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism, North West Provincial Government.


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.


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
Hahn, N. & von Staden, L. 2022. Brachystelma incanum R.A.Dyer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14

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Distribution map


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