Common Xyris

Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Xyris capensis Thunb.
Higher Classification
Monocotyledons
Family
XYRIDACEAE
Common Names
Common Xyris (e), Hloho-tsa-makaka (ss), Kaka-hlothoana (ss), Udoyi Oluncane (z)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2017/09/06
Assessor(s)
H. Mtshali, F. Cholo & W. Foden
Justification
Xyris capensis is widespread, common and not in danger of extinction.
Distribution
Endemism
Not endemic to South Africa
Provincial distribution
Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Western Cape
Range
This species is widespread across eastern South Africa, extending along the southern Cape coastal areas to the Cape Peninsula. It is widespread across Africa, possibly extending as far as south-east Asia.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Freshwater
Major habitats
Fynbos, Grassland, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, Savanna
Description
It occurs in open wet places, marshes, river banks and seepage areas in hills, and sometimes in saline pans.
Population
Population trend
Stable
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Xyris capensis Thunb.Least Concern Raimondo et al. (2009)
Bibliography

Cook, C.D.K. 2004. Aquatic and wetland plants of southern Africa. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.


Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.


Lewis, J. and Obermeyer, A.A. 1985. Xyridaceae. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 4 Part 2 Xyridaceae-Juncaceae:1-8. Botanical Research Institute, Pretoria.


Lock, J. 1999. A synopsis of Xyris (Xyridaceae) in south-central Africa. Kew Bulletin 54(2):301-326.


Pooley, E. 2003. Mountain flowers: a field guide to the flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.


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.


Sieben, E.J.J. 2009. The status and distribution of vascular plants (Magnoliophyta, Lycophyta, Pteridophyta). In: W.R.T. Darwall, K.G. Smith, D. Tweddle and P. Skelton (eds.), The status and distribution of freshwater biodiversity in southern Africa (pp. 83-98), IUCN and SAIAB, Gland, Switzerland and Grahamstown, South Africa.


Citation
Mtshali, H., Cholo, F. & Foden, W. 2017. Xyris capensis Thunb. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14

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Distribution map


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