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Scientific Name | Helichrysum lesliei Hilliard |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ASTERACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2013/01/28 |
Assessor(s) | J.E. Burrows, M. Lötter, L. von Staden & W. McCleland |
Justification | A range-restricted (EOO 313 km²), habitat specialist, remaining at two locations after extensive habitat loss to timber plantations. The population size is estimated to be fewer than 2500 mature individuals, and this species is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and degradation, as well as competition from alien invasive plants. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Mpumalanga |
Range | Lydenburg to Nelspruit. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Long Tom Pass Montane Grassland, Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland |
Description | High altitude grassland, restricted to quartzite outcrops. |
Threats |
| This species has already lost an estimated 50% of its habitat to timber plantations. Part of the subpopulation of the type locality was lost to plantations established in the 1990s, and plans to put the entire area under plantations were abandoned after the efforts of a local conservationist to preserve the site. Plants now remain within a small grassland fragment between plantations, which is partially managed as firebreaks. The second subpopulation also occurs on a small grassland fragment on a property owned by a forestry company, and neither have formal protection. Further habitat loss to plantations remains a potential threat. Other threats include inappropriate fire management - fragments are either burnt too frequently in fire breaks or too infrequently elsewhere because of the risk to plantations, as well as invasions by exotic species. |
Population |
The subpopulation at Kemp's Heights consists of around 1600-2000 mature individuals (W. McCleland pers. comm.), and is being monitored annually since 2009. Population trends are not yet evident, but this population seems to be impacted by too frequent fire. The second subpopulation is much smaller, consisting of around 100 mature individuals (J.E. Burrows, pers. obs.).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Helichrysum lesliei Hilliard | EN C2a(i) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Hilliard, O.M. 1983. Gnaphaliinae (First Part). In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 33 Asteraceae, Part 7 Inuleae, Fascicle 2:1-325. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Hilliard, O.M. and Burtt, B.L. 1982. Notes on some plants of Southern Africa chiefly from Natal: IX. Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 40(2):247-298.
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 |
| Burrows, J.E., Lötter, M., von Staden, L. & McCleland, W. 2013. Helichrysum lesliei Hilliard. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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