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Scientific Name | Metalasia distans (Schrank) DC. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ASTERACEAE |
Synonyms | Gnaphalium distans Schrank |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2010/11/25 |
Assessor(s) | N.A. Helme & D. Raimondo |
Justification | This species used to occur from Kraaifontein to Malmesbury, but only one location remains at Riverlands Nature Reserve. The survival of this subpopulation is dependent on ongoing management and clearing of severe infestations of alien invasive plants. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Malmesbury. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Atlantis Sand Fynbos |
Description | Acid sand flats in seasonal wetlands, 105-108 m. |
Threats |
| Habitat loss to crop cultivation, and to a lesser extent urban expansion, has led to a severe reduction in the population of this species. Remaining lowland habitats are densely infested by alien invasive plants. The only remaining subpopulation is protected within a very small nature reserve where alien plants have been cleared. The areas surrounding the reserve are still very densely covered in alien plants, and a large alien seedbank remains within the reserve. Ongoing management and clearing of alien plants is required to prevent the extinction of this, and a number of other lowland species now restricted to this small nature reserve. |
Population |
Only remaining subpopulation at Riverlands Nature Reserve has over 1 000 individuals.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Metalasia distans (Schrank) DC. | CR B1ab(iii) | 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.
Karis, P.O. 1989. Systematics of the genus Metalasia (Asteraceae - Gnaphalieae). Opera Botanica 99:1-150.
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. 2010. Metalasia distans (Schrank) DC. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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