Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Aspalathus acanthoclada R.Dahlgren
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
FABACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Vulnerable B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)
Assessment Date
2018/10/04
Assessor(s)
N.A. Helme, D. Raimondo & L. von Staden
Justification
Aspalathus acanthoclada is a highly range-restricted species, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 448 km². It persists at seven to 10 locations, and is declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion B.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
This species is endemic to South Africa, and is localized to a small area between Worcester and Villiersdorp in the Western Cape.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Breede Shale Renosterveld, Breede Alluvium Renosterveld, Breede Sand Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos
Description
It occurs in renosterveld-fynbos scrub, 300 m.
Threats
It has lost nearly 60% of its habitat to vineyards in the Breede River Valley, construction of the Brandvlei Dam, and urban expansion around Worcester. Habitat loss continues particularly due to infrastructure development in the Breede River Valley west of Worcester.
Population

There is no information available on the population of this species.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Aspalathus acanthoclada R.DahlgrenVU B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)Raimondo et al. (2009)
Aspalathus acanthoclada R.DahlgrenRare Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Dahlgren, R. 1968. Revision of the genus Aspalathus. II. The species with ericoid and pinoid leaflets. 6. The Aspalathus frankenioides, nivea, juniperina, rubens, and divaricata groups and some other groups. Opera Botanica 21:8-304.


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.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African 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.


Citation
Helme, N.A., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2018. Aspalathus acanthoclada R.Dahlgren. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/18

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Distribution map


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