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Scientific Name | Aspalathus linearifolia (Burm.f.) DC. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
Synonyms | Aspalathus rugosa Thunb. subsp. linearifolia (Burm.f.) R.Dahlgren, Aster linearifolius Burm.f., Trineuria linearifolia (Burm.f.) C.Presl |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(ii,iii,iv)+2ab(ii,iii,iv) |
Assessment Date | 2011/05/12 |
Assessor(s) | N.A. Helme & L. von Staden |
Justification | EOO 1 364 km², a fairly common species known from 10-16 locations. Although much of its lowland habitat has been transformed for crop cultivation, this species is fairly resilient to this type of disturbance. It is however declining due to ongoing habitat loss to housing developments and urban expansion. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Tulbagh and Riebeek-Kasteel to Franschhoek. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos, Swartland Alluvium Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos |
Description | Sandstone fynbos, flats and low hillsides. |
Threats |
| Most of this species' lowland habitat between Saron and Franschhoek has been ploughed, however on numerous occasions it has been found growing in areas that have been cultivated or disturbed, and thus crop cultivation is not considered a major threat. Some areas where this species occurs are now being developed as housing estates. Such transformation is expected to cause permanent loss of subpopulations. |
Population |
Although this is a range-restricted species, it is fairly common and resilient to disturbance. Plants have frequently been collected in old fields and cleared timber plantations. Recently it has started losing habitat to urban expansion, which is resulting in a decline in subpopulations.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aspalathus linearifolia (Burm.f.) DC. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Dahlgren, R. 1960. Revision of the genus Aspalathus. I. The species with flat leaflets. Opera Botanica 4:7-393.
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 |
| Helme, N.A. & von Staden, L. 2011. Aspalathus linearifolia (Burm.f.) DC. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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