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Scientific Name | Heliophila maraisiana Al-Shehbaz & Mummenhoff |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | BRASSICACEAE |
Synonyms | Cleome virgata Thunb., not Cleome virgata Steven, not Heliophila virgata Burch ex DC., Cycloptychis virgata (Thunb.) E.Mey. ex Sond. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A2ac; B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2007/02/14 |
Assessor(s) | N.A. Helme & D. Raimondo |
Justification | It has lost 50% of its AOO 30 years, which is less than three generations (generation length 20 years). This loss is ongoing due to rapid expansion of Rooibos tea cultivation which targets its habitat of deep sands. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Bokkeveld plateau to northern Cederberg, including Gifberg and Piketberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | Deep sandy flats. |
Threats |
| At least 50% of this species' habitat has been rapidly transformed, predominantly for agriculture over the past 50-60 years. Deep sandy soils on the Gifberg, northern Cederberg and Bokkeveld Plateau are targeted particularly for rooibos tea and potato cultivation, and habitat loss is ongoing. Deciduous fruit cultivation has caused extensive habitat loss on the Piketberg. |
Population |
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cycloptychis virgata (Thunb.) E.Mey. ex Sond. | EN A2ac; B1ab(ii,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.
Marais, W. 1970. Cruciferae. In: L.E. Codd, B. De Winter, D.J.B. Killick and H.B. Rycroft (eds). Flora of southern Africa 13:1-118. Botanical Research 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. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Heliophila maraisiana Al-Shehbaz & Mummenhoff. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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