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Scientific Name | Acanthopsis tetragona H.M.Steyn subsp. pedunculata H.M.Steyn |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ACANTHACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2023/02/20 |
Assessor(s) | H.M. Steyn & L. von Staden |
Justification | A highly localized taxon with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of less than 10 km². It is known from one location where it is potentially threatened by habitat loss and degradation due to erosion. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This subspecies is found in the Richtersveld near Eksteenfontein in the Northern Cape province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Central Richtersveld Mountain Shrubland |
Description | It occurs in well-drained sandy loam soils with quartz rubble on rocky lower slopes. |
Threats |
| This subspecies' entire known range falls within communally owned rangelands that are overstocked with livestock. Overgrazing has already caused severe degradation of succulent shrublands across the Richtersveld, with a loss of shrub cover and species diversity in many areas. This subspecies is not grazed, but it is potentially vulnerable to trampling and erosion, as it occurs in open sandy places. In areas close to settlements where shrub cover has been almost completely lost, slopes with bare soil are particularly prone to erosion during heavy rainfall (P.C.V. van Wyk pers. comm.). The population, being very localized, is potentially vulnerable to habitat loss to erosion and the ongoing drought. |
Population |
It is known from a small area to the north of Eksteenfontein. Field surveys in 2015 have located one subpopulation of approximately 100 mature individuals, but historical collections suggest that there may be other subpopulations on the lower slopes of the Stinkfontein Mountains and Wildeperderant. No new specimens or observations were recorded since 2015 and the effect of the drought on the population trend is unknown.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Acanthopsis tetragona H.M.Steyn subsp. pedunculata H.M.Steyn | VU D2 | 2017.1 | |
Bibliography |
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 |
| Steyn, H.M. & von Staden, L. 2023. Acanthopsis tetragona H.M.Steyn subsp. pedunculata H.M.Steyn. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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