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Scientific Name | Orthopterum coegana L.Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2007/04/10 |
Assessor(s) | J.E. Victor, W. Berrington & A.P. Dold |
Justification | A highly range-restricted species that only occurs at Coega (EOO <10 km², AOO <1 km²). There were three isolated, severely fragmented subpopulations, but the habitat of one subpopulation was destroyed due to quarrying. Plants from this site were translocated, but appear not to have survived the disturbance. The habitat at a second subpopulation is being degraded by dumping, disturbance from vehicles and removal of the quartz rocks on which the plants grow for sale in nurseries and this subpopulation is also declining. A third subpopulation is not threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape |
Range | Coega. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Sundays Valley Thicket |
Description | Rocky sandstone outcrops. |
Threats |
| Much of this extremely range-restricted species' habitat has been destroyed by industrial development and quarrying, and the site is earmarked for further industrial development. Attempts to save plants from habitat destruction through translocations have failed. At least one remaining small subpopulation is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and degradation as a result of infrastructure development, dumping, removal of quartz rocks for the nursery industry and recreational 4x4 driving. |
Population |
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Orthopterum coegana L.Bolus | CR B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Orthopterum coegana L.Bolus | Endangered | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Hammer, S. and Dold, A.P. 2004. Notes on the genus Orthopterum and its relatives. Aloe 41(2&3):45-49.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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.
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Citation |
| Victor, J.E., Berrington, W. & Dold, A.P. 2007. Orthopterum coegana L.Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/17 |
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