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Scientific Name | Aspalathus gerrardii Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
Common Names | Natal Prickly Pea (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A2c |
Assessment Date | 2008/07/01 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Although widespread (EOO 10 000 km²), this species' range coincides with some of the most highly transformed area of KwaZulu-Natal. A suffrutescent grassland forb or small tree, generation length likely to be longer than 50 years. Population reduction within the last three generations is estimated at >30% based on a 48% habitat loss, mainly due to sugarcane cultivation, urban and coastal development and forestry plantations. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | Between Richards Bay, St Lucia and Ngoye Forest and in the south from Oribi Gorge and along the coast to Port St Johns. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Pondoland-Ugu Sandstone Coastal Sourveld, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland, Maputaland Coastal Belt |
Description | Coastal grasslands, forest margins, often in damp or marshy sites, on sandstones and Msikaba Formation Sandstone in the south, 0-500 m. |
Threats |
| Population reduction within the last three generations is estimated at more than 30% based on a 48% loss of habitat due to sugarcane cultivation, urban and coastal development and forestry plantations (Calculated using GIS). |
Population |
Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Greater St Lucia Wetland Park
Ngoye Forest Reserve
Umtamvuna Nature Reserve
Mkambati Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aspalathus gerrardii Bolus | VU A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Boon, R. 2010. Pooley's Trees of eastern South Africa. Flora and Fauna Publications Trust, Durban.
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.
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. 2008. Aspalathus gerrardii Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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