Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Heliophila eximia Marais
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
BRASSICACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Vulnerable D2
Assessment Date
2015/05/17
Assessor(s)
L. von Staden
Justification
A rare, range-restricted species (EOO 132 km²), known from five locations and potentially threatened by overgrazing.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Northern Cape
Range
Central mountains of the Richtersveld, from Kodas Peak to Rosyntjieberg.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Central Richtersveld Mountain Shrubland
Description
Stony slopes and quartzite cliffs.
Threats
This species is potentially threatened by overgrazing. Parts of its range is severely overstocked, and overgrazing has already caused a loss of species diversity and vegetation cover in places. In some areas, such as in the Paradyskloof, this species survives on vertical cliffs inaccessible to livestock, but there are also collections from moderate rocky slopes, which are potentially vulnerable to grazing and trampling.
Population

A rare and localized habitat specialist.


Population trend
Stable
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Heliophila eximia MaraisVU D22015.1
Heliophila eximia MaraisLeast Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Heliophila eximia MaraisRare Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Heliophila eximia MaraisRare 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.


Marais, W. 1966. Notes on South African Cruciferae. Bothalia 9(1):97-112.


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.


Snijman, D.A. 2013. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Citation
von Staden, L. 2015. Heliophila eximia Marais. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13

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Distribution map

© L. von Staden

© L. von Staden

© I. Ebrahim


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