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Scientific Name | Aspalathus spinifera C.H.Stirt. & Muasya |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2021/06/24 |
Assessor(s) | C.H. Stirton, M. Muasya & H. Mtshali |
Justification | Aspalathus spinifera has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 39 157 km². It is known from more than 20 locations. The population size is likely to be declining at a slow rate due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It however does not yet meet or nearly meet any of the criteria for a category of threat and is therefore listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | This species has a wide distribution between Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, occurring inland from Maclear through to Weenen, and along the coast from Lusikisiki to Durban. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld, Ngongoni Veld, Midlands Mistbelt Grassland, Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, Pondoland-Ugu Sandstone Coastal Sourveld, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland |
Description | It occurs in open grassland, mainly at 190-400 m, but can be found at higher altitudes inland. |
Threats |
| This species' grassland habitat is vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation due to afforestation, overgrazing and sugarcane cultivation along the coast. |
Population |
Population trend | Decreasing |
Bibliography |
Stirton, C.H. and Muasya, A.M. 2016. Seven new species and notes on the genus Aspalathus (Crotalarieae, Fabaceae). South African Journal of Botany 104:35-46.
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Citation |
| Stirton, C.H., Muasya, M. & Mtshali, H. 2021. Aspalathus spinifera C.H.Stirt. & Muasya. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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