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Scientific Name | Helichrysum mimetes S.Moore |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ASTERACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2020/02/20 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Helichrysum mimetes has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 7358 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 64-92 km². It is threatened by ongoing habitat degradation across its range, but still persists at more than 10 locations. It therefore nearly meets the criteria thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Limpopo, Mpumalanga |
Range | This species occurs along the Limpopo and Mpumalanga Drakensberg Escarpment from the Wolkberg to Barberton, extending to the mountains around Pigg's Peak in Swaziland. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld, Barberton Montane Grassland, Long Tom Pass Montane Grassland, Northern Escarpment Dolomite Grassland, Woodbush Granite Grassland, Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on rocky outcrops and broken rocky cliffs along the escarpment edge. |
Threats |
| More than 40% of grasslands within this species range have been converted to commercial timber plantations. While it is not suspected to have cause significant decline, as this species' specific micro-habitat is generally not suited to plantations, it has led to the fragmentation of the population into small, isolated grassland remnants. This is concerning as many of these remnants continue to be degraded due to spreading alien invasive plants, inappropriate fire management and overgrazing by livestock. |
Population |
This species occurs as scattered individuals in suitable habitat. The population trend is not known and it requires monitoring, but it is suspected to be declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It is currently known from between 15 and 25 locations, but it may be under-collected as it flowers outside the peak flowering season of montane grasslands.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Helichrysum mimetes S.Moore | NT B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) | 2020.1 | | Helichrysum mimetes S.Moore | Least Concern | 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.
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 |
| von Staden, L. 2020. Helichrysum mimetes S.Moore. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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