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Scientific Name | Blepharis subglabra Vollesen |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ACANTHACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2015/11/03 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | A rare, and apparently localized species, known from one location, but also possibly overlooked. It is potentially threatened by habitat degradation due to overgrazing. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | Paulpietersburg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Ithala Quartzite Sourveld |
Description | Grassland, on steep rocky slopes, 1050 m. |
Threats |
| Parts of the area surrounding the type locality is cultivated, but this species' specific habitat, steep rocky slopes, is unsuited to cultivation, and it is unlikely to be affected by habitat loss to crop cultivation. The other predominant landuse in the area is livestock grazing, and this species is potentially threatened by habitat degradation due to grazing. Blepharis species are spiny and generally unpalatable to livestock, and some species proliferate in overgrazed areas. Field surveys are required to determine the impact of grazing on the population. |
Population |
This species is known from a single record, collected in 1948. It is possibly overlooked, as the area is botanically still somewhat poorly explored, and it is likely that more subpopulations exist. More field surveys are however required to confirm the size and extent of the subpopulation. It possibly occurs in the nearby Ithala Nature Reserve.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Blepharis subglabra Vollesen | VU D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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.
Vollesen, K. 2000. Blepharis (Acanthaceae): A taxonomic revision. Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens, Richmond, England.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2015. Blepharis subglabra Vollesen. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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