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Scientific Name | Conophytum maughanii N.E.Br. subsp. latum (Tischer) S.A.Hammer |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Conophytum discrepans G.D.Rowley, Conophytum discrepans G.D.Rowley forma discrepans, Conophytum discrepans G.D.Rowley forma rubrum (Tischer) G.D.Rowley, Conophytum noctiflorum (L.Bolus) G.D.Rowley, Ophthalmophyllum latum Tischer, Ophthalmophyllum latum Tischer forma latum, Ophthalmophyllum latum Tischer forma rubrum (Tischer) G.D.Rowley, Ophthalmophyllum latum Tischer var. rubrum Tischer, Ophthalmophyllum noctiflorum L.Bolus |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/02/08 |
Assessor(s) | P.C.V. Van Wyk, D. Raimondo & A.J. Young |
Justification | A range-restricted endemic to the Richtersveld region of South Africa, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 691 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 48 km². Between eight and ten threat defined locations have subpopulations that are experiencing ongoing decline in mature individuals as a result of illegal poaching and the impact of a prolonged drought in the region. This taxon therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | information redacted, contact SANBI |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Succulent Karoo |
Description | Quartz flats in various types of succulent shrubland. |
Threats |
| Possibly half of the population in the Richtersveld died from the prolonged drought between 2016 and 2020. Online trading of habitat collected specimens from Eksteenfontein was recorded in 2019, illegal collecting is an ongoing pressure to this taxon, in 2009 there were reports of poachers collecting this species in the Eksteenfontein area in large quantities. After revisiting two populations shortly after the report, one population was completely depleted and the other had half of the plants removed. In September 2019 not a single plant could be found at this location. This taxon is therefore experiencing ongoing decline. |
Population |
Widespread with scattered individuals, sometimes locally common. Numbers have been decreasing continuously as a result of illegal harvesting and drought related mortality.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum maughanii N.E.Br. subsp. latum (Tischer) S.A.Hammer | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Conophytum maughanii N.E.Br. subsp. latum (Tischer) S.A.Hammer | Not Threatened | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Ophthalmophyllum noctiflorum L.Bolus | Uncertain | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
Hammer, S. 2002. Dumpling and his wife: New view of the genus Conophytum. EAE Creative Colour, Norwich.
Hammer, S.A. 1993. The genus Conophytum: A conograph. Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
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 |
| Van Wyk, P.C.V., Raimondo, D. & Young, A.J. 2020. Conophytum maughanii N.E.Br. subsp. latum (Tischer) S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/12/03 |
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