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Scientific Name | Aspalathus pinguis Thunb. subsp. australis R.Dahlgren |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A2c |
Assessment Date | 2009/07/15 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | A population reduction of at least 30% is estimated based on 48% habitat loss in the past 50 years on the Agulhas Plain, mainly to agriculture and alien plant invasions. Although still common, this reseeder (generation length 15-20 years) is now largely restricted to fragments and roadside verges. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Agulhas Plain between Elim, Bredasdorp and Potberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | De Hoop Limestone Fynbos, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos |
Description | Limestone and ferricrete fynbos, flats and slopes of low hills. |
Threats |
| This species was described as 'abundant' in the 1960s (Dahlgren 1966) and are known from many collections from that area. However, 48% of its habitat is now lost to crop cultivation and alien plant invasion, and although still common, this species is now restricted to road verges and fragments outside De Hoop Nature Reserve, where some of its habitat is protected. A population reduction of at least 30% since the 1960s (past 50 years) is estimated based on extent of habitat loss and local extinctions of localities last collected in the 1960s. Out of at least 24 known subpopulations, six (25%) are assumed locally extinct as no natural habitat remains where they were collected, and the status of seven others are uncertain. |
Population |
Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aspalathus pinguis Thunb. subsp. australis R.Dahlgren | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Dahlgren, R. 1966. Revision of the genus Aspalathus. II. The species with ericoid and pinoid leaflets. 5. The Aspalathus carnosa, aciphylla, pachyloba, arida, pinguis, spinosa and sanguinea groups and some other groups. Opera Botanica 11(1):7-266.
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. 2009. Aspalathus pinguis Thunb. subsp. australis R.Dahlgren. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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