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Scientific Name | Marasmodes oppositifolia Magee & Koopman |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ASTERACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(i,ii); D |
Assessment Date | 2024/04/11 |
Assessor(s) | R. Koopman, I. Ebrahim, L. von Staden & A.R. Magee |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Breede Alluvium Fynbos |
Threats |
| Most of this species' habitat has been converted to vineyards, orchards and crop fields, and only small fragments remain. Loss to agricultural expansion and other development is ongoing in the Breede River Valley. Remnants of alluvial fynbos are infested with unmanaged alien invasive plants, and continue to be degraded due to livestock grazing and a lack of fire. Reseeders such as Marasmodes oppositifolia require fire to regenerate, but fires are often excluded from small fragments due to the risks of damage to surrounding infrastructure and crops. Small fragments are also often overstocked with livestock, leading to overgrazing and trampling of the vegetation. |
Population |
This species was first discovered in 2010. Further surveys of remaining fragments of Breede Alluvium Fynbos have failed to locate any other subpopulations. The only known subpopulation consists of around 20 plants. The site has been secured for conservation through a 15-year biodiversity agreement, during which time it will be safeguarded from land-use changes. It is however not certain that the contract will be renewed after it comes to an end. There are some alien invasive plants present at the site, which need to be cleared to prevent them from outcompeting native species. Recent road construction at the edge of the site may have altered water flow patterns in the wetland, which may impact this wetland-dependent species in future. The population is being monitored to determine the impact of these threats over time.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Marasmodes oppositifolia Magee & Koopman | CR B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(i,ii); D | 2020.1 | | Marasmodes sp. nov. (Magee & Koopman 499 NBG) | CR B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(i,ii); D | 2017.1 | |
Bibliography |
Magee, A., Ebrahim, I., Koopman, R. and von Staden, L. 2017. Marasmodes (Asteraceae, Anthemideae), the most threatened plant genus of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa: Conservation and taxonomy. South African Journal of Botany 111:371-386.
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Citation |
| Koopman, R., Ebrahim, I., von Staden, L. & Magee, A.R. 2024. Marasmodes oppositifolia Magee & Koopman. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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