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Scientific Name | Asclepias disparilis N.E.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | APOCYNACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv) |
Assessment Date | 2016/01/19 |
Assessor(s) | A. Nicholas, C.R. Scott-Shaw & L. von Staden |
Justification | EOO 359 km², plants at two remaining locations continue to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | Creighton to Harding, southern KwaZulu-Natal. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Dry Coast Hinterland Grassland, Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland |
Description | Mistbelt and coastal grassland, 900 m. |
Threats |
| Very little of this species' habitat remains intact, after extensive loss to timber plantations, sugarcane cultivation, and rural settlements. Habitat loss continues rapidly as rural settlements continue to expand across this species' remaining habitat. Both known remaining subpopulations are threatened by habitat loss to settlements as well as overgrazing. This species is not known to occur in any protected areas, and is in severe danger of extinction. |
Population |
This species historically had a very limited distribution range, and within this area, more than 80% of grasslands have been lost or degraded. Currently only two subpopulations are known to remain near Harding, in the southern part of this species' former range.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Asclepias disparilis N.E.Br. | EN B1ab(ii,iii,iv) | 2017.1 | | Asclepias disparilis N.E.Br. | VU B1ab(ii,iii,iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Asclepias disparilis N.E.Br. | VU B1B2abcd | Scott-Shaw (1999) | | Asclepias disparilis N.E.Br. | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Nicholas, A. 1982. Taxonomic studies in Asclepias (Asclepiadeae) with particular reference to the narrow-leaved species in southern Africa. University of Natal.
Nicholas, A. 1999. A taxonomic reassessment of the subtribe Asclepiadinae (Asclepiaceae) in Southern Africa. Unpublished Ph.D., University of Durban-Westville, Durban.
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 |
| Nicholas, A., Scott-Shaw, C.R. & von Staden, L. 2016. Asclepias disparilis N.E.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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