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Scientific Name | Aspalathus nickhelmei C.H.Stirt. & Muasya |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2021/06/29 |
Assessor(s) | C.H. Stirton, N.A. Helme & H. Mtshali |
Justification | A short-lived perennial shrub with a very restricted range in the Western Cape, known from less than five locations where it is potentially threatened by irregular fire regimes, agriculture, and competition from spreading alien invasive plants. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species has a restricted distribution in the southern Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it occurs from Vermaaklikheid to Stilbaai. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Canca Limestone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on rocky, north-facing limestone ridges, and it grows fast after fires. It flowers only for the first 4 or 5 years after fire, and then persists in mature veld in the soil seed bank. |
Threats |
| This species has no severe threats. As a re-seeder, it is potentially vulnerable to irregular fire regimes due to its apparent need for fire in order to stimulate germination and flowering. Agriculture and spreading Invasive alien plants in its range could lead to future decline if not managed. |
Population |
According to Stirton and Muasya (2016), this species appears to be rare and localised, and it is not known from any previous collection. However during recent field observations it has been noted that it is more widespread and common than previously thought. It occurs en masse after fire and then dies off as the vegetation ages (J. Deacon pers. obs.). The population is currently stable.
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Population trend | Stable |
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., Helme, N.A. & Mtshali, H. 2021. Aspalathus nickhelmei C.H.Stirt. & Muasya. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/29 |
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