Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aspalathus complicata (Benth.) R.Dahlgren
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
FABACEAE
Synonyms
Borbonia complicata Benth.
National Status
Status and Criteria
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Assessment Date
2022/09/05
Assessor(s)
A.L. Schutte-Vlok, D. Raimondo & B. du Preez
Justification
A restricted endemic species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) of 8 km², it is known from one location where there is an ongoing decline in the quality of habitat due to the spread of invasive alien plants and lack of fire. It therefore qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered under criterion B.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
This species occurs in the Eastern slopes of the Piketberg, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos
Description
It is found on lower and middle slopes growing in sandstone fynbos.
Threats
It has lost habitat in the past to wheat cultivation, the only known extant population is threatened by competition from invasive alien plants and its habitat is being further degraded due to lack of fire.
Population

Previously known only from old collection records made in 1934, this species was rediscovered in 2020. Only four plants were monitored in 2020 however this genus tends to be common following fire, the vegetation where it has been found is senescent and requires burning. The population trend is suspected to declining due its habitat being degraded.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aspalathus complicata (Benth.) R.DahlgrenExtinct Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Dahlgren, R. 1988. Crotalarieae (Aspalathus). In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of southern Africa 16 Fabaceae, Part 3 Papilionoideae, Fascicle 6:1-430. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.


Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.


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.


Citation
Schutte-Vlok, A.L., Raimondo, D. & du Preez, B. 2022. Aspalathus complicata (Benth.) R.Dahlgren. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/30

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Distribution map


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