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Scientific Name | Dioscorea hurteri R.Hills & Wilkin |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | DIOSCOREACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2021/07/14 |
Assessor(s) | R. Hills, M. Muasya & H. Mtshali |
Justification | This endemic is known from four locations, two of which may be protected, within a heavily transformed KwaZulu-Natal. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 9872 km². Habitat transformation is ongoing, and it is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | KwaZulu-Natal |
Range | This species is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, from Ngome to Ixopo. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Forest |
Description | It occurs in mesic to dry forests in shade, often in thin humus-rich soils overlying sheetrock. |
Threats |
| Habitat in areas around where this species was collected has been transformed by extensive development for agriculture, timber plantations and human settlement, there is ongoing habitat degradation and loss as a result of these threats.
Exact locations where the specimens were collected are unknown, however two of these potentially occur within protected areas; Karkloof Nature Reserve and Ngome forest that forms part of the Ntendeka Wilderness Area. |
Population |
It is reported to be abundant where it occurs (N. Crouch, pers. comm.).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Bibliography |
Hills, R., Muasya, A.M., Maurin, O. and Wilkin, P. 2018. A threatened new species of Dioscorea from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Dioscorea hurteri (Dioscoreaceae). Kew Bulletin 73(1):1-9.
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Citation |
| Hills, R., Muasya, M. & Mtshali, H. 2021. Dioscorea hurteri R.Hills & Wilkin. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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