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Scientific Name | Acanthopsis dispermoides H.M.Steyn |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ACANTHACEAE |
Synonyms | Acanthopsis disperma in the sense of Vlok & Schutte-Vlok (2010), not of Nees. (misapplied name) |
Common Names | Klein Karoo Verneukhalfmensie (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2023/02/10 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden, J.H. Vlok & H.M. Steyn |
Justification | A range-restricted species (EOO 1519 km²), known from four subpopulations, but not threatened and common locally. It is assessed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs in the Little Karoo between Laingsburg, Ladismith and Barrydale. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Succulent Karoo |
Description | It grows in steep, rocky, dry north-facing lower slopes at the transition between fynbos and succulent karoo. |
Threats |
| The area where this species occurs is severely overgrazed in places, however the type collection (Boucher 1560) notes that it is abundant on dry rocky overgrazed foothills. It appears to be a pioneer species thriving under conditions of disturbance, and the plant itself is not grazed (J.H. Vlok pers. obs.), and therefore it is unlikely to be threatened by overgrazing. Numerous iNaturalist observations of this species were uploaded recently. |
Population |
This species has a restricted range, and is currently known from four subpopulations, southern foothills of Anysberg, Wittepoort between Anysberg and the Klein Swartberg, the northern foothills of the Touwsberg, and the north-eastern base of the Warmwatersberg near Barrydale. Vlok and Schutte-Vlok (2010) describe the species as abundant.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Acanthopsis dispermoides H.M.Steyn | LC | 2017.1 | | Acanthopsis sp. (Boucher 1560 PRE) | Least Concern | 2015.1 | |
Bibliography |
Steyn, H.M. and Van Wyk, A.E. 2015. Taxonomic notes on the Acanthopsis disperma-hoffmannseggiana complex (Acanthaceae, tribe Acantheae), with an interim key to members of the genus. Phytotaxa 219(1):1-26.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L., Vlok, J.H. & Steyn, H.M. 2023. Acanthopsis dispermoides H.M.Steyn. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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