| Scientific Name | Cyphia elata Harv. | Higher Classification | Dicotyledons | Family | LOBELIACEAE | Synonyms | Cyphia elata Harv. forma decurrens E.Wimm., Cyphia elata Harv. forma latifolia E.Wimm., Cyphia elata Harv. forma thodeana E.Wimm., Cyphia elata Harv. forma truncata E.Wimm., Cyphia elata Harv. var. elata, Cyphia elata Harv. var. gerrardii (Harv.) E.Wimm., Cyphia elata Harv. var. glabra Harv., Cyphia elata Harv. var. globularis E.Wimm., Cyphia elata Harv. var. oblongifolia (Sond. & Harv.) E.Phillips, Cyphia gerrardii Harv., Cyphia oblongifolia Sond. & Harv., Cyphia wilmsiana Diels | Common Names | Ibutha Lentaba (z), Igela (z), Igonsi (z), Lekoto (ss) |
National Status | Status and Criteria | Least Concern | Assessment Date | 2023/08/18 | Assessor(s) | N.N. Mhlongo & D. van der Colff | Justification | This species has a very wide distribution range with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 450 747 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 1604 km². It is widespread, abundant and not in danger of extinction. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution | Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa | Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga | Range | This species is widespread across eastern South Africa, where it is found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. It extends to Eswatini and Lesotho. |
Habitat and Ecology | Major system | Terrestrial | Major habitats | Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland, Sekhukhune Montane Grassland, Leolo Summit Sourveld, Northern Escarpment Dolomite Grassland, Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld, Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos, Woodbush Granite Grassland, Wolkberg Dolomite Grassland, East Griqualand Grassland, Waterberg-Magaliesberg Summit Sourveld, Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland, Long Tom Pass Montane Grassland, Eastern Free State Sandy Grassland, Basotho Montane Shrubland, Soweto Highveld Grassland, Northern Zululand Mistbelt Grassland, Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland, Grahamstown Grassland Thicket, Strydpoort Summit Sourveld, Northern Drakensberg Highland Grassland, Maputaland Coastal Belt, Maputaland Wooded Grassland, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland, Pondoland-Ugu Sandstone Coastal Sourveld, Transkei Coastal Belt, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Thornveld, Amathole Montane Grassland, Barberton Montane Grassland, Southern Drakensberg Highland Grassland, KaNgwane Montane Grassland, Drakensberg-Amathole Afromontane Fynbos, uKhahlamba Basalt Grassland, Lesotho Highland Basalt Grassland, Rand Highveld Grassland, Eastern Highveld Grassland, Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland, Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland, Mthatha Moist Grassland, Drakensberg Afroalpine Heathland, Tzaneen Sour Bushveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld, Kaalrug Mountain Bushveld, Barberton Serpentine Sourveld, Swaziland Sour Bushveld, Southern Lebombo Bushveld, Lebombo Summit Sourveld, Northern Zululand Sourveld, Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland, Crocodile Gorge Mountain Bushveld, Ohrigstad Mountain Bushveld, Legogote Sour Bushveld, Thukela Valley Bushveld, Thukela Thornveld, KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Thornveld, Ngongoni Veld, KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld, Eastern Valley Bushveld, Zululand Lowveld, Mooi River Highland Grassland, Tsomo Grassland, Tarkastad Montane Shrubland, Bedford Dry Grassland, Dry Coast Hinterland Grassland, Ithala Quartzite Sourveld, Moist Coast Hinterland Grassland, Low Escarpment Moist Grassland, Pretoriuskop Sour Bushveld, Income Sandy Grassland, Sekhukhune Mountain Bushveld, Midlands Mistbelt Grassland, Loskop Mountain Bushveld, Loskop Thornveld, Waterberg Mountain Bushveld, Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld, Mamabolo Mountain Bushveld, Poung Dolomite Mountain Bushveld, Bhisho Thornveld, Northern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland | Description | Plants grow in rocky grassland in coastal and montane areas, 0-2745 m. |
Threats | | Some parts of this species' habitat face threats such as habitat degradation resulting from livestock farming, inappropriate land management, and the invasion of alien plants. Nevertheless, these threats are currently not severe enough to pose an immediate risk of extinction.
The root of this species is edible and has been reported to have medicinal uses. However, there is limited information available regarding the potential impact of medicinal harvesting on this species. |
Population | This species is widespread and common throughout eastern South Africa. It has been recorded from more than 50 subpopulations, and there are 106 observations reported by citizen scientists on iNaturalist between 2007 and 2023 within South Africa.
| Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cyphia elata Harv. var. glabra Harv. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Cyphia elata Harv. var. globularis E.Wimm. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Cyphia elata Harv. var. elata | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Cyphia oblongifolia Sond. & Harv. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Cyphia elata Harv. var. gerrardii (Harv.) E.Wimm. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography | Govaerts, R. 1999. World Checklist of Seed Plants 3 (1, 2a & 2b):1-1532, MIM, Deurne.
Pooley, E. 1998. A field guide to wild flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern region. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
Pooley, E. 2003. Mountain flowers: a field guide to the flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
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.
Retief, E. and Herman, P.P.J. 1997. Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: keys and diagnostic characters. Strelitzia 6. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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Citation | | Mhlongo, N.N. & van der Colff, D. 2023. Cyphia elata Harv. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/09 |
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