This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 7143 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 88 km². Between ten and 14 subpopulations are known, and it is likely that a few more unrecorded subpopulations exist. Each subpopulation occurs on land which is either privately owned or within a reserve. As grazing by livestock is the main threat to this taxon and grazing pressure is determined by land ownership, between 10 and 20 locations are suspected to exist. There is ongoing decline in habitat quality and the number of mature individuals as a result of livestock overgrazing. This species therefore qualifies as Near Threatened as it is approaching Vulnerable under criterion B1.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
This species is endemic to Western Cape, South Africa, where it occurs along the arid eastern margin of the Fynbos Biome from the Cederberg Mountains to the Wabooms Mountains west of Montagu and the hills around Matjiesfontein.
This species inhabits the transitional arid fynbos, often confined to shale bands.
Threats
Livestock grazing was a severe past threat, and remains a present and future threat. There has been an observed decline in the number of individuals in the subpopulations at Konstabelberg and Tweedside near Laingsburg due to overgrazing by goats. A subpopulation at Rooihoogte Pass on the Waboomsberg near Montagu is also heavily impacted by grazing.
Population
Between ten and 14 subpopulations are known, and it is likely that a few more unrecorded subpopulations exist. Recent monitoring data on iNaturalist indicates the the subpopualtiosn can be small consisting of 50 to 100 individuals.
Population trend
Decreasing
Notes
Most populations are found around Laingsburg but there are a few collections from the Cederberg that appear to be most similar to the Laingsburg group. However, this is a resprouter while the Laingsburg populations are reseeders. Given that both these forms are described as one taxon they are both included in this assessment. Subpopulations in the Laingsburg area are severely threatened by overgrazing, while those in the Cederberg are unlikely to be threatened.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Amphithalea villosa Schltr.
NT B1ab(iii,iv,v)
2015.1
Amphithalea villosa Schltr.
EN B1ab(iii,iv,v)
Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
Granby, R. 1980. Revision of the genus Coelidium (Liparieae-Fabaceae). Opera Botanica 54:27-35.
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.
Schutte, A.L. 1998. A re-evaluation of the generic status of Amphithalea and Coelidium (Fabaceae). Taxon 47:55-65.
Citation
Schutte-Vlok, A.L. & Raimondo, D. 2021. Amphithalea villosa Schltr. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/18
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