Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Commelina bella Oberm.
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
COMMELINACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Data Deficient - Taxonomically Problematic
Assessment Date
2013/07/23
Assessor(s)
J.E. Victor, L. Fish & L. von Staden
Justification
A range restricted species occurring in a highly threatened habitat. However, this taxon at present cannot be satisfactorily distinguished from C. livingstonii, which is widespread in southern Africa, due to unreliable, variable characters.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Gauteng, Limpopo, North West
Range
Endemic to the Springbok Flats between Brits, Cullinan, Bela Bela and Lephalale.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Savanna
Description
Heavy clay soils in Springbokvlakte Thornveld.
Threats
This species is endemic to Springbokvlakte Thornveld, a vegetation type that is 64% transformed, mainly by agriculture, and has been classified as Endangered (Rouget et al. 2004). This species occurs in black turf soils that are ideally suitable to cultivation and was probably extensively impacted by habitat loss in the past. Current threats also include spreading human settlements, overgrazing and alien invasive encroachment.
Population
Population trend
Unknown
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Commelina bella Oberm.Data Deficient (Taxonomically Problematic) Raimondo et al. (2009)
Commelina bella Oberm.Insufficiently Known Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Hahn, N. 2013. Rare, endangered and endemic flora of the North West Province. Unpublished Report to the Department of Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism, North West Provincial Government.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Obermeyer, A.A. 1981. Two new species of Commelina. Bothalia 13(3&4):436-437.


Obermeyer, A.A. and Faden, R.B. 1985. Commelinaceae. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 4 Part 2 Xyridaceae-Juncaceae:23-60. Botanical Research 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.


Rouget, M., Reyers, B., Jonas, Z., Desmet, P., Driver, A., Maze, K., Egoh, B. and Cowling, R.M. 2004. South African National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: Technical Report. Volume 1: Terrestrial component. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.


Citation
Victor, J.E., Fish, L. & von Staden, L. 2013. Commelina bella Oberm. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14

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Distribution map


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