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Scientific Name | Cynanchum zeyheri Schltr. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | APOCYNACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2018/06/27 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Cynanchum zeyheri is a widespread species with an uncertain extent of occurrence (EOO), estimated to be between 12 579 - 21 422 km². It is however very rare, with an area of occupancy (AOO) of only 56 km². It is known from seven to 10 locations, and continues to decline across its range due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation and competition from alien invasive plants. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape coastal lowlands, where it is known from isolated occurrences around Saldanha, the Cape Peninsula and the Agulhas Plain. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Langebaan Dune Strandveld, Saldanha Limestone Strandveld, Peninsula Shale Renosterveld, De Hoop Limestone Fynbos, Saldanha Flats Strandveld, Saldanha Granite Strandveld, Eastern Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Albertinia Sand Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, Overberg Dune Strandveld, Canca Limestone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on flats and lower slopes in renosterveld, strandveld and limestone fynbos. |
Threats |
| This species has lost habitat to urban expansion on the Cape Peninsula in the past (Liede 1993), but its remaining habitat is now protected. It continues to be threatened by habitat loss to urban expansion and mining on the Vredenburg Peninsula, as well as habitat loss to crop cultivation, development and competition from alien invasive plants on the Agulhas Plain and in the Overberg. |
Population |
It is an extremely rare species, known from only a few collections, scattered over a wide area. Subpopulations are extremely small - two recent field observations recorded subpopulations of fewer than 10 plants, although it is said to be common on Robben Island. The population is declining on the Vredenburg Peninsula and the Agulhas Plain.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Cynanchum zeyheri Schltr. | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Cynanchum zeyheri Schltr. | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
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.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Liede, S. 1993. A taxonomic revision of the genus Cynanchum L. (Asclepiadaceae) in southern Africa. Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik 114:503-550.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. 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 |
| von Staden, L. 2018. Cynanchum zeyheri Schltr. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/11/28 |
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