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Scientific Name | Freylinia helmei Van Jaarsv. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | SCROPHULARIACEAE |
Common Names | Bot River Honey-bells (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2023/11/23 |
Assessor(s) | I. Ebrahim, E.J. van Jaarsveld, D. Raimondo & N.A. Helme |
Justification | This is a range restricted endemic occurring in the Botriver area in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 45 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 22 km². It is known from between seven and 10 locations and is restricted to steep kloofs and renosterveld fragments. Subpopulations are small and are typically between 10 and 50 plants. The overall population consists of between 300 and 500 mature individuals. Ongoing threats include a noticeable increase in alien plant invasions and inappropriate fire regimes and pollinator losses due to habitat fragmentation. It is also potentially threatened by agricultural expansion. It therefore qualifies for Endangered under criterion C. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is confined to the Botriver area in the Overberg, Western Cape. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Western Ruens Shale Renosterveld |
Description | It is a resprouter occurring on steep slopes and shale outcrops in renosterveld, often occurring in kloofs. |
Threats |
| There has been a 55% loss of habitat in this area. This transformation has taken place in the past 70 years, mostly in the 1950's and 1960's. However this species has only been found on steep south facing slopes in a habitat relatively safe from ploughing hence we can not assume that there has been a significant loss of subpopulations over the past 3 generations.
Ploughing remains a potential threat in this agricultural area and this habitat is suitable for vineyards and olive farming. Subpopulations remain on small renosterveld fragments between extensive wheat fields and are likely to be impacted over time by pollinator loss and change of fire regimes associated with fragmentation
Since the initial assessment, there has been an increase in invasive alien populations at some of the localities. Although several landowners especially those involved in stewardship are clearing aliens, there are still visible increases in hakea, wattle and pine invasions. At least 30% of the localities where this species occurs has increasing populations of alien invasive species. Most of the vegetation where this species occurs is old and senescent. At one of the farms there has also been a threat of cattle grazing recorded. |
Population |
It is known from between five to seven locations. Most of the subpopulations have fairly low numbers of individuals, ranging from 1 to 50. The overall population consists of between 300 and 500 mature individuals. The biggest subpopulations are on the hills near De Vlei and Welgemoed. The majority of the subpopulations occur in Western Shale Renosterveld fragments and the vegetation age is typically between 20 and 50 years old which is considered senescent. Although there has not been a recorded decline in the number of mature individuals. There is ongoing decline in habitat condition due to the spread of alien invasive species, inappropriate fire regimes and grazing by cattle.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Freylinia helmei Van Jaarsv. | VU D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Manning, J.C., Maluleke, R., Ebrahim, I. and Helme, N.A. 2021. The genus Freylinia Pangella ex Colla (Scrophulariaceae: Teedieae): a re-assessment of the systematics and conservation status. South African Journal of Botany 142:352-369.
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 |
| Ebrahim, I., van Jaarsveld, E.J., Raimondo, D. & Helme, N.A. 2023. Freylinia helmei Van Jaarsv. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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