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Scientific Name | Aspidonepsis cognata (N.E.Br.) Nicholas & Goyder |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | APOCYNACEAE |
Synonyms | Asclepias cognata N.E.Br. |
Common Names | Large Suncup (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2015/04/13 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | A range-restricted (EOO 9545 km²) species, known from 10 to 15 locations and declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, from Underberg to Kokstad. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Midlands Mistbelt Grassland, Mooi River Highland Grassland, Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, uKhahlamba Basalt Grassland, Southern Drakensberg Highland Grassland |
Description | River valleys or near streams in montane grassland, 1200-2100 m. |
Threats |
| This species is threatened in parts of its range by habitat loss to timber plantations, competition from alien invasive plants, wetland drainage and damming. In the southern part of its range habitat loss and degradation due to overgrazing and expanding rural settlements is ongoing. |
Population |
This species was formerly thought to be rare, but field surveys indicate it to be fairly common in the Underberg district.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aspidonepsis cognata (N.E.Br.) Nicholas & Goyder | NT B1ab(iii) | 2015.1 | | Aspidonepsis cognata (N.E.Br.) Nicholas & Goyder | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Aspidonepsis cognata (N.E.Br.) Nicholas & Goyder | Lower Risk - Least Concern | Scott-Shaw (1999) | | Aspidonepsis cognata (N.E.Br.) Nicholas & Goyder | Rare | 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. and Goyder, D.J. 1992. Aspidonepsis (Asclepiadaceae), a new southern African genus. Bothalia 22(1):23-35.
Pooley, E. 2003. Mountain flowers: a field guide to the flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho. Natal Flora Publications Trust, 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 |
| von Staden, L. 2015. Aspidonepsis cognata (N.E.Br.) Nicholas & Goyder. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/08/29 |
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