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Scientific Name | Aristea nana Goldblatt & J.C.Manning |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2021/05/27 |
Assessor(s) | P.A. Manyama & H. Mtshali |
Justification | This Cape endemic has a restricted distribution range and has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 15 022 km², and is known from 20-25 locations. While it is declining at some subpopulations due to wind farm construction, expansion of crops, and habitat degradation due to alien plant invasion, it has not yet declined sufficiently to qualify under a category of threat. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | Aristea nana is endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa where it occurs from Robinson's Pass to Bathurst. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld, Algoa Sandstone Fynbos, Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos, Kouga Sandstone Fynbos, South Kammanassie Sandstone Fynbos, South Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on sandy and rocky slopes in grassy fynbos. |
Threats |
| Subpopulations near Jefferys Bay are threatened by habitat loss to wind farm construction and expansion of agriculture.
Recent field observations indicate that some subpopulations are subjected to degradation of habitat due to alien invasive plants, such as in Paardekop and near Humansdorp. These could outcompete native species in future if left unmanaged.
One subpopulation near Oudtshoorn is potentially threatened by habitat loss to crop cultivation and timber plantations. The other subpopulations are not threatened as they occur at high altitudes. |
Population |
This species is known from a 365 km long range between Robinson’s Pass and Barthust. It is a rarely collected species and has been confused with A. pusilla. The two are superficially very alike (Goldblatt and Manning, 2020). Currently this species is known from about 25 subpopulations.
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Population trend | Stable |
Notes |
| Aristea nana has until recently rarely been collected and has usually been confused with similarly low growing A. pusilla. Despite their superficial similarity Aristea nana and A. pusilla are probably not related (Goldblatt et al. 2005). |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aristea nana Goldblatt & J.C.Manning | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Goldblatt, P., Dold, A.P. and manning, J.C. 2005. Three cryptic new species of Aristea (Iridaceae) from southern Africa. Bothalia 35(1):1-6.
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.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation |
| Manyama, P.A. & Mtshali, H. 2021. Aristea nana Goldblatt & J.C.Manning. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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