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Scientific Name | Xyris natalensis L.A.Nilsson |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | XYRIDACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2017/08/31 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali, F. Cholo, W. Foden & L. Potter |
Justification | Xyris natalensis has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence of 18 717 km², and is declining across its range due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It is however still common, occurring in more than 10 locations, and therefore nearly meets the criteria thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B. It is likely to be threatened by habitat loss and degradation in Mozambique as well, and therefore the national status is not adjusted, following IUCN regional assessment guidelines. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | This species occurs along the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape coast, from Kosi Bay to Cutwini. It also occurs in Mozambique. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Freshwater |
Major habitats | Indian Ocean Coastal Belt |
Description | It occurs in swamps, on river banks and along the edges of lakes. |
Threats |
| Much of its habitat has been lost to coastal development, sugarcane cultivation, mining and forestry plantations. Too frequent fires, trampling by livestock and competition from alien invasive plants are ongoing threats. |
Population |
X. natalensis is known from a large number of historical records, and according to Lewis and Obermeyer (1985) it is common. Recent field observations indicate that it is still common, in spite of ongoing habitat loss and degradation across its range. A continuing decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Xyris natalensis L.A.Nilsson | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Cook, C.D.K. 2004. Aquatic and wetland plants of southern Africa. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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.
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.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H., Cholo, F., Foden, W. & Potter, L. 2017. Xyris natalensis L.A.Nilsson. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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