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Scientific Name | Helichrysum mutabile Hilliard |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ASTERACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2020/02/20 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Helichrysum mutabile is a widespread and common species. It is declining across its range due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, but is not yet in danger of extinction. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga |
Range | This species occurs from Tzaneen in Limpopo Province southwards to Barberton in Mpumalanga. It also occurs in adjacent areas in northern eSwatini (Swaziland). |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Northern Mistbelt Forest, Granite Lowveld, Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld, Northern Afrotemperate Forest, Pretoriuskop Sour Bushveld, Legogote Sour Bushveld, Long Tom Pass Montane Grassland, Barberton Montane Grassland, Northern Escarpment Dolomite Grassland, Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland, Swaziland Sour Bushveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld, Kaalrug Mountain Bushveld, Sekhukhune Montane Grassland, Crocodile Gorge Mountain Bushveld, Scarp Forest, Tzaneen Sour Bushveld, Woodbush Granite Grassland |
Description | It occurs in transitional areas between Lowveld savanna and escarpment grassland, where it occurs on rocky slopes in woodland, or in grassland near forest margins, rarely in marshy places. |
Threats |
| About 40% of this species' habitat is irreversibly modified, predominantly due to historical habitat loss to timber plantations and fruit orchards. Comparative land cover datasets (1990-2014) indicate that loss continues. Subpopulations have been fragmented, and this species now mostly persists on isolated remnants, where it is threatened by ongoing habitat degradation due to inappropriate fire management, spreading alien invasive plants, and overgrazing. |
Population |
Helichrysum mutabile is a common species. A continuing population decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Helichrysum mutabile Hilliard | 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 mutabile Hilliard. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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