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Scientific Name | Babiana unguiculata G.J.Lewis |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2022/08/31 |
Assessor(s) | P. Goldblatt, T. Patel & H. Mtshali |
Justification | This Cape endemic is restricted to two mountain ranges, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) 674 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 12 km². The two known locations continue to decline due to expanding rooibos tea cultivation. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This endemic species has a very limited distribution range in the Northern and Western Cape provinces of South Africa, where it extends from the Bokkeveld-Stinkfontein Mountains to the Nardouws Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in sandy seeps and wet sandstone flats, 300-800 m. |
Threats |
| This species' preferred habitat is targeted for rooibos tea cultivation, and there has been extensive expansion of rooibos tea cultivation on the Bokkeveld and Nardouws mountains. Currently, at least 40% of its habitat is irreversibly modified, and loss continues, with 4% loss recorded between 1990 and 2014. Subpopulations are also likely to be impacted by pollution from agricultural runoff. |
Population |
It is poorly documented and is known from only four specimen collections, but two have vague locality descriptions and were collected over 70 years ago, there are only two collections of this species made in the past 20 years. The population trend and size is unknown, but it is inferred to be declining due to ongoing habitat loss. Monitoring is required.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Babiana unguiculata G.J.Lewis | VU D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2007. A revision of the southern African genus Babiana, Iridaceae, Crocoideae. Strelitzia 18:1-97. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2020. Iridaceae of southern Africa. Strelitzia 42. 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.
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Citation |
| Goldblatt, P., Patel, T. & Mtshali, H. 2022. Babiana unguiculata G.J.Lewis. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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