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Scientific Name | Lachenalia ameliae W.F.Barker |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | HYACINTHACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/11/24 |
Assessor(s) | J.H. Vlok, G.D. Duncan, D. Raimondo & H.M. Steyn |
Justification | Lachenalia ameliae has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 17 696 km² and is known from less than 20 locations. It is declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural expansion, particularly overgrazing in the Little Karoo, where more than 80% of the habitat is severely grazed. It is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to South Africa, and is found from Tanqua Karoo to Montagu, Barrydale and Calitzdorp. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Western Little Karoo, Tanqua Karoo, Montagu Shale Renosterveld, Matjiesfontein Shale Renosterveld, Swartberg Shale Renosterveld, Kango Limestone Renosterveld, Kango Conglomerate Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in red, sandy or stony clay flats or on low mounds, in open places or sheltered under low shrubs. |
Threats |
| Within the Little Karoo, many subpopulations of Lachenalia ameliae remain on small renosterveld fragments, after extensive habitat loss to crop cultivation. At least 80% of the remaining habitat is severely grazed. |
Population |
This species occurs as scattered individuals within suitable habitat patches. It is adapted to remain dormant during years of drought, and may be easily overlooked.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Notes |
| Recent collections by H.M. Steyn in the Tanqua Karoo significantly extended the known range of this species, which was previously thought to be rare and localised. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Lachenalia ameliae W.F.Barker | NT B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Lachenalia ameliae W.F.Barker | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Duncan, G.D. 1988. Lachenalia handbook. Annals of Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden 17:1-71.
Duncan, G.D. 2012. The genus Lachenalia. Kew Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Hilton-Taylor, C. Unpublished. Succulent Karoo Red Data List (version 1997 - in preparation). SANBI.
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.
Snijman, D.A. 2013. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation |
| Vlok, J.H., Duncan, G.D., Raimondo, D. & Steyn, H.M. 2020. Lachenalia ameliae W.F.Barker. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/09 |
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