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Scientific Name | Amphibolia laevis (Aiton) H.E.K.Hartmann |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Amphibolia hutchinsonii (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann, Amphibolia maritima L.Bolus ex Toelken & Jessop, Mesembryanthemum hutchinsonii (L.Bolus) N.E.Br., Mesembryanthemum laeve Aiton, nof of Thunb., Mesembryanthemum pansifolium N.E.Br., Ruschia hutchinsonii L.Bolus, Ruschia maritima (L.Bolus ex Toelken & Jessop) G.D.Rowley |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2019/11/05 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Amphibolia laevis has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 12 946 km². It is declining due to ongoing habitat loss in the southern part of its range, but it is still very common, occurring at more than 20 locations. It therefore nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs along the West Coast of the Western Cape, from Vredendal to Melkbosstrand. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Fynbos, Succulent Karoo |
Description | It occurs on sandy coastal flats, often on dunes near the seashore. |
Threats |
| it is threatened by ongoing habitat loss to coastal development, particularly in the southern part of its range, from the Vredenburg Peninsula southwards to Melkbosstrand and Milnerton. It is also threatened by habitat loss to mining on the coast near Vredendal. |
Population |
Amphibolia laevis has a restricted range, but is locally common within suitable habitat. A continuing decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss, but recent field observations confirm that this species still persists at at least 20 locations.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Notes |
| Amphibolia is in need of taxonomic revision and many species are poorly known. Collection records suggest that this species may be more widespread along the West Coast, as far as Alexander Bay near the border with Namibia. Current literature sources (Manning and Goldblatt 2012 and Snijman 2013) however does not confirm this range extension. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Amphibolia laevis (Aiton) H.E.K.Hartmann | NT B1ab(iii) | 2020.1 | | Amphibolia laevis (Aiton) H.E.K.Hartmann | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Amphibolia hutchinsonii (L.Bolus) H.E.K.Hartmann | Not Threatened | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Hartmann, H.E.K. 2002. Illustrated handbook of succulent plants: Aizoaceae A-E. Springer, Berlin.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity 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.
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. 2019. Amphibolia laevis (Aiton) H.E.K.Hartmann. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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