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Scientific Name | Forsskaolea hereroensis Schinz |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | URTICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened* B1ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2015/04/28 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | This species is rare in South Africa, where it is known from fewer than 10 locations within a restricted range (national EOO 2446 km²), and is declining due to severe overgrazing. The South African population is continuous with Namibia, where this species is common and not threatened. The South African national status is therefore downgraded by one category due to potential rescue effects from the adjacent Namibian population, as per IUCN regional assessment procedures. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | Widespread across western Namibia, southwards to the lower Gariep River Valley, between Alexander Bay and Vioolsdrif, Richtersveld, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Northern Nababiepsberge Mountain Desert, Helskloof Canyon Desert, Richtersberg Mountain Desert, Lower Gariep Alluvial Vegetation |
Description | Rocky hillsides and dry riverbeds, usually in shade. |
Threats |
| This species is threatened by overgrazing, with field observations indicating that livestock browse plants down to ground level on sandy flats in dry river courses. Individuals sometimes occur on near-vertical cliffs, where they are presumably safe from grazing. This species is not threatened in Namibia. |
Population |
This species has been rarely recorded in South Africa, but is widespread and common in Namibia. The South African population is declining in the western part of its range.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Forsskaolea hereroensis Schinz | NT* B1ab(iii,v) | 2015.1 | | Forsskaolea hereroensis Schinz | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Friis, I. and Immelman, K.L. 2001. Urticaceae. In: G. Germishuizen (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 9:1-34. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Friis, I. and Wilmot-Dear, C.M. 1988. A revision of the tribe Forsskaoleae (Urticaceae). Nordic Journal of Botany 8(1):25-59.
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.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2015. Forsskaolea hereroensis Schinz. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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