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Scientific Name | Cytinus capensis Marloth |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | CYTINACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered D |
Assessment Date | 2012/05/14 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, P.M. Burgoyne, D. Raimondo & L. von Staden |
Justification | Previously thought to be extinct after it was not seen for more than 50 years, this species was recently rediscovered on the Cape Peninsula and is currently known from fewer than 50 plants. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Cape Peninsula. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | Deep sands, parasitic, mainly on Metalasia muricata. |
Threats |
| Historical records indicate that Cytinus capensis was formerly more widespread on the Cape Peninsula, but most of these sites have been lost to urban expansion, and others were affected by dense infestations of alien invasive plants. Cytinus capensis was thought to be extinct when it was not collected for more than 50 years and numerous searches failed to relocate any surviving plants. Two small clumps were however rediscovered where they are protected within the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park. |
Population |
Two very small clumps of plants were found in the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park, consisting of five and seven clusters, respectively. Plants of one clump failed to set fruit due to predation of the flowers, but more study of the population is needed to determine whether it is declining, and the conditions stimulating growth and flowering. It is likely that other overlooked subpopulations may still exist.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cytinus capensis Marloth | Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) | 2011.1 | | Cytinus capensis Marloth | Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Burgoyne, P. 2006. A New Species of Cytinus (Cytinaceae) from S. Africa and Swaziland, with a Key to the Southern African Species. Novon 16:315-319.
Hill, A.W. 1901. Cytinaceae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis V Section I (Acanthaceae-Proteaceae):485-487. Lovell Reeve & Co., Ltd., London.
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.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Burgoyne, P.M., Raimondo, D. & von Staden, L. 2012. Cytinus capensis Marloth. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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