Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Woodia verruculosa Schltr.
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
APOCYNACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Vulnerable B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)
Assessment Date
2016/01/21
Assessor(s)
A. Nicholas, C.R. Scott-Shaw, D. Raimondo & L. von Staden
Justification
A range-restricted species (EOO 1480 km²), known to remain at around eight or nine locations, and declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
KwaZulu-Natal
Range
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Howick to Ixopo.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Thornveld, Midlands Mistbelt Grassland, Dry Coast Hinterland Grassland, Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland
Description
Mistbelt and Ngongoni grassland, 800-1300 m.
Threats
Very little of this species' grassland habitat remains intact after extensive losses to timber plantations, sugarcane, urban expansion, spreading rural settlements, and degradation due to overgrazing. Habitat loss to urban and industrial development continues around Pietermaritzburg. Remaining subpopulations are also threatened by competition from unmanaged alien invasive plants.
Population

In spite of extensive habitat loss and degradation, this species is still fairly common, occurring in numerous fragments on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg (A. Young pers. comm.). It appears to be somewhat tolerant of disturbance. Subpopulations are however small, with field counts indicating around 10 plants per subpopulation, and it continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Woodia verruculosa Schltr.VU D2Raimondo et al. (2009)
Woodia verruculosa Schltr.Lower Risk - Near Threatened Scott-Shaw (1999)
Woodia verruculosa Schltr.Rare Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

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.


Citation
Nicholas, A., Scott-Shaw, C.R., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2016. Woodia verruculosa Schltr. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/18

Comment on this assessment Comment on this assessment
Distribution map


Search for images of Woodia verruculosa on iNaturalist