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Scientific Name | Argyrolobium splendens (E.Mey.) Walp. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
Synonyms | Chasmone splendens (Meisn.) Walp. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered D |
Assessment Date | 2012/05/14 |
Assessor(s) | N.A. Helme & L. von Staden |
Justification | This species was previously known only from the type specimen, collected more than 100 years ago at an unspecified locality in the mountains near the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. In 2008, a small population of 40-60 plants was found in the Babilonstoring Mountains somewhat to the north of this area. It seems to be a localized habitat specialist appearing only in the first few years after fires, which may explain why it is so rarely seen. This species' habitat is extremely restricted, but other subpopulations may exist. It is not currently threatened, but shale bands are particularly prone to alien plant invasions and scattered alien invasive Hakea species are present in the area. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Babilonstoring Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation |
Description | Shale bands on lower north-facing slopes. |
Threats |
| Invasive alien Hakea species are present at the site, but are not yet directly threatening the population. Clearing and management is needed to prevent the hakeas from becoming a threat. |
Population |
A small subpopulation of 40-60 plants was found in young veld about five years after a fire. This species is quite likely a short-lived fire ephemeral, being common in the first few years after a fire and thereafter disappearing from maturing vegetation.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Argyrolobium splendens (E.Mey.) Walp. | Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) | 2011.1 | | Argyrolobium splendens (E.Mey.) Walp. | Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Argyrolobium splendens (E.Mey.) Walp. | Extinct | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Edwards, T.J. 2005. A synopsis of Argyrolobium (tribe Genisteae, Papilionoideae) in South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 71(3):380-417.
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.
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.
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Citation |
| Helme, N.A. & von Staden, L. 2012. Argyrolobium splendens (E.Mey.) Walp. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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