Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Disa montana Sond.
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
ORCHIDACEAE
Synonyms
Disa poikilantha Kraenzl., Disa pulchra Sond. var. montana (Sond.) Schltr.
National Status
Status and Criteria
Vulnerable B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Assessment Date
2012/09/01
Assessor(s)
D. Raimondo, C.R. Scott-Shaw & L. von Staden
Justification
A very rare and localized species (EOO 1231 km²), known from fewer than 10 locations and declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Eastern Cape
Range
Ramatsiliso's Gate to Elliot.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, Lesotho Highland Basalt Grassland, Southern Drakensberg Highland Grassland
Description
Dry rocky grassland slopes, 1600-2400 m.
Threats
All known localities are threatened by habitat loss and degradation as a result of expanding timber plantations, overgrazing, too frequent fire and erosion.
Population

This is an extremely rare species from a remote part of the Eastern Cape, and is known from fewer than 10 collections. Much of this species' grassland habitat is degraded and this species is suspected to be declining.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Disa montana Sond.VU D2Raimondo et al. (2009)
Disa montana Sond.Lower Risk - Least Concern Victor (2002)
Disa montana Sond.Lower Risk - Least Concern Scott-Shaw (1999)
Disa montana Sond.Indeterminate Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Disa montana Sond.Uncertain Hall et al. (1980)
Bibliography

Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Linder, H.P. 1981. Taxonomic studies in the Disinae. III. A revision of Disa Berg. excluding sect. Micranthae Lindl. Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium 9:1-370.


Linder, H.P. and Kurzweil, H. 1999. Orchids of southern Africa. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam.


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.


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
Raimondo, D., Scott-Shaw, C.R. & von Staden, L. 2012. Disa montana Sond. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14

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Distribution map


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