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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.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aspalathus complicata (Benth.) R.Dahlgren | Extinct | 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.
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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 2025/05/19 |
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