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Scientific Name | Acanthopsis dregeana H.M.Steyn subsp. dregeana |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ACANTHACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2023/02/07 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden, H.M. Steyn & P.C.V. Van Wyk |
Justification | A localized habitat specialist, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) of 12 km², it is known from three subpopulations that all occur at one location. The population is declining due to overgrazing. It therefore qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species is found in the Richtersveld north-west of Eksteenfontein. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Lekkersing Succulent Shrubland, Central Richtersveld Mountain Shrubland |
Description | Plants grow in gentle slopes in Central Richtersveld Mountain Shrubland. |
Threats |
| Lower slopes and plains close to settlements in the Richtersveld are continually degraded due to severe, ongoing overgrazing as a result of overstocking of communal rangelands and a severe drought which started in 2012 and is still ongoing at the time of assessment. Overgrazing has caused loss of plant species diversity and shrub cover, and is also leading to the erosion of exposed slopes and drainage lines. Field observations indicate that this species is heavily grazed and the population is in decline as a result. |
Population |
This species is known from three small, localized subpopulations. All three occur within severely overgrazed communal rangelands owned by the same community, and it is therefore considered one location.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Acanthopsis dregeana H.M.Steyn subsp. dregeana | CR B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) | 2017.1 | | Acanthopsis dregeana H.M.Steyn subsp. dregeana | CR B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) | 2017.1 | |
Bibliography |
Steyn, H.M. and Van Wyk, A.E. 2016. Taxonomic notes on the shrublet species of Acanthopsis (Acanthaceae, tribe Acantheae), with two new species from South Africa. Phytotaxa 244(2):145-160.
Steyn, H.M. and Van Wyk, A.E. 2017. Taxonomic notes on Acanthopsis Harv. (Acanthaceae, tribe Acantheae): the group with trifid bracts. Phytotaxa 295(3):201-217.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L., Steyn, H.M. & Van Wyk, P.C.V. 2023. Acanthopsis dregeana H.M.Steyn subsp. dregeana. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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