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Scientific Name | Aspalathus abbottii C.H.Stirt. & Muasya |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | FABACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2014/05/15 |
Assessor(s) | A.T.D. Abbott, G. Grieve, L. von Staden & D. Raimondo |
Justification | A localized Pondoland endemic (EOO 1 km²), known from three locations and potentially threatened by inappropriate fire management and competition from alien invasive plants. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | Pondoland, Oribi Flats. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Pondoland-Ugu Sandstone Coastal Sourveld |
Description | Thin soils over rock pavement of the Msikaba Formation, at the edge of cliffs in Pondoland-Ugu Sandstone Coastal Sourveld. |
Threats |
| Grasslands surrounding the population have been extensively converted to sugarcane plantations, however, this species' extremely rocky habitat is unsuitable to cultivation, and it is unlikely that it has declined due to habitat loss. Mature plants are killed by fire, but this species appears to regenerate well from soil-stored seeds, as many young seedlings are present in recently burnt areas (G. Grieve pers. obs.). Too frequent and intense fires, may however have a negative impact on the population. Alien invasive plants are present at some locations, but currently occur as scattered individuals. It may potentially outcompete native species in future if left unmanaged. |
Population |
Aspalathus abbottii is a localized habitat specialist, occurring in small clumps of between 50 and 500 mature individuals covering less than one hectare at the edge of cliffs along the top of river gorges. Although there are potential threats to the population, it is not suspected to be declining.
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Population trend | Stable |
Conservation |
| All locations are on privately owned land - this species is not currently conserved in any formally protected area. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aspalathus abbottii C.H.Stirt. & Muasya | VU D2 | 2014.1 | |
Bibliography |
Mucina, L. and Rutherford, M.C. (eds). 2006. The vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Strelitzia 19. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Stirton, C.H. and Muasya, A.M. 2011. Aspalathus abbottii (Fabaceae: Crotalarieae), a new species from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 77(3):675-679.
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Citation |
| Abbott, A.T.D., Grieve, G., von Staden, L. & Raimondo, D. 2014. Aspalathus abbottii C.H.Stirt. & Muasya. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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