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Scientific Name | Aspalathus microlithica C.H.Stirt. & Muasya |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable A2bc |
Assessment Date | 2014/05/19 |
Assessor(s) | O.E. Curtis, C.H. Stirton, M. Muasya & D. Raimondo |
Justification | This long-lived, slow-growing resprouter (generation length at least 40 years) is estimated to have declined by at least 30% due to habitat loss and degradation since 1940. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Bredasdorp to Heidelberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Eastern Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Ruens Silcrete Renosterveld, Potberg Ferricrete Fynbos |
Description | Quartzitic outcrops in Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld. |
Threats |
| Aspalathus microlithica is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural expansion. Although its specific habitat is only marginally suited to cultivation, much of it has been ploughed in the past, and subsequently left fallow (O.E. Curtis pers. obs.). Degradation continues mainly due to severe overgrazing of small remaining remnants. |
Population |
This species is long-lived and slow growing, and a past population reduction of at least 30% is estimated based on the extent of habitat loss and degradation within its range.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aspalathus microlithica C.H.Stirt. & Muasya | VU A2bc | 2014.1 | |
Bibliography |
Curtis, O.E., Stirton, C.H. and Muasya, A.M. 2013. A conservation and floristic assessment of poorly known species rich quartz-silcrete outcrops within Rûens Shale Renosterveld (Overberg, Western Cape), with taxonomic descriptions of five new species. South African Journal of Botany 87:99-111.
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Citation |
| Curtis, O.E., Stirton, C.H., Muasya, M. & Raimondo, D. 2014. Aspalathus microlithica C.H.Stirt. & Muasya. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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