|
Scientific Name | Tritonia pallida Ker Gawl. |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | IRIDACEAE |
Synonyms | Gladiolus longiflorus Jacq. (later homonym), not of L.f. (1782), Gladiolus longiflorus var. B Vahl, Montbretia pallida (Ker Gawl.) Baker, Tritonia pallida Ker Gawl. subsp. pallida, Tritonia pallida Ker Gawl. subsp. taylorae (L.Bolus) M.P.de Vos, Tritonia taylorae L.Bolus |
Common Names | Katjetie (a), Katjietee (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2b(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2023/05/26 |
Assessor(s) | N.N. Mhlongo, R.C. Turner, W. Foden, D. Raimondo, L. Potter & T. Patel |
Justification | This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 19,020 km² and is known to have between 30 and 35 subpopulations. Three locations have potentially been lost due to the ongoing expansion of orchards and vineyards, while urban development in the Montagu region has resulted in a further loss of suitable habitat. Competition from unmanaged alien invasive plants also poses a threat. With the population declining but with more than 10 locations still extant, it nearly reaches the thresholds for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B and is therefore assessed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa, where it is centred in the western Little Karoo, stretching from Robertson to Calitzdorp and the Gamkaberg, also along the northern foothills of the Witteberg and Swartberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Eastern Little Karoo, Breede Shale Renosterveld, Montagu Shale Renosterveld, South Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on stony shale slopes and banks in succulent karroid shrubland with the corms wedged in crevices in rocks. |
Threats |
| Many historical localities for this species are radically transformed: e.g. Cemetery and Natuurtuin localities; Herbetsdale, Montagu and Ashton have seen radical habitat destruction through agriculture, mostly for vineyards. There has also been a resort development at Montagu. According to Vlok (2006), this vegetation type has 20% moderate grazed, 75% pristine, and 4% severe grazed. Habitat degradation due to agricultural crops is a continuing threat. Alien invasive plants are spreading and increasing in density in the mountains of the Western Cape, and are likely to outcompete native species such as T. pallida if not urgently cleared. |
Population |
This species was once widespread and abundant in the Western Cape. It is currently known from between 30-35 subpopulations. Ongoing loss has occurred due to the expansion of orchards and vineyards within the species' range, with three locations potentially lost to this expansion. Additionally, habitat loss and competition from alien invasive plants have contributed to the decline. Based on this information, it can be inferred that the population is decreasing.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Tritonia pallida Ker Gawl. subsp. taylorae (L.Bolus) M.P.de Vos | VU B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Tritonia pallida Ker Gawl. subsp. pallida | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
De Vos, M.P. 1999. Tritonia. In: O.A. Leistner (ed). Flora of Southern Africa 7 Iridaceae Part 2: Ixioideae, Fascicle 1: Ixieae:89-128. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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. 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.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
|
Citation |
| Mhlongo, N.N., Turner, R.C., Foden, W., Raimondo, D., Potter, L. & Patel, T. 2023. Tritonia pallida Ker Gawl. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
Comment on this assessment
