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Scientific Name | Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PEDALIACEAE |
Common Names | Devil's Claw (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2012/05/15 |
Assessor(s) | D. Raimondo, J.E. Victor & E. Powell |
Justification | A very widespread and abundant species, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of over 400 000 km². Commercial harvesting for the international medicinal trade is currently affecting only a small proportion of the total South African population (<2%). Plants recover from harvesting and this pioneer species thrives in overgrazed and disturbed areas. The population is therefore stable and under no threat. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape, North West |
Range | This species is widely distributed in Africa and can be found in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Within South Africa this species occurs in the Northern Cape, North West, Free State, and Limpopo Provinces and the largest populations are found in the communally owned areas of the North West Province and the north eastern parts of the Northern Cape. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Nama Karoo, Savanna |
Description | It grows in well drained sandy habitats in open savanna and woodlands. |
Threats |
| There was high international demand for Harpagophytum procumbens between 1999 and 2005 due to its value in treating arthritis and rheumatism, however demand has declined since 2005. Currently, small volumes are harvested, from which the population is able to easily recover, with on average 70% of harvested plants regrowing after being harvested. In addition, harvesting is currently affecting only 2% of the South African population (Raimondo et al. 2005). This species is favoured by disturbance and occurs abundantly in overgrazed communal areas (Hachfeld 2003). |
Population |
In a survey across South Africa undertaken in 2002, eighty-nine 1 km² sites were surveyed and a total of 2 120 000 plants counted. It is however estimated that less than 0.5% of the total population was sampled in this study, and therefore the population of this species within South Africa is estimated to exceed 200 000 000.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. subsp. procumbens | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. subsp. transvaalense Ihlenf. & H.E.K.Hartmann | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. subsp. procumbens | Not Threatened | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Hachfeld, B. 2003. Ecology and utilisation of Harpagophytum procumbens (Devils Claw) in southern Africa. Plant Species Conservation Monographs 2. Bundesamt für Naturschutz, Bonn.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Raimondo, D., Fell, C., Donaldson, J.S., Newton, D. and Dickson, B. 2005. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum spp.) in South Africa: Conservation and Livelihoods Issues. Report prepared for the CITES Plants Committee.
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 |
| Raimondo, D., Victor, J.E. & Powell, E. 2012. Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. ex Meisn. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/09 |
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