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Scientific Name | Adenia spinosa Burtt Davy |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PASSIFLORACEAE |
Common Names | Spiny Greenstem (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B2b(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2022/04/06 |
Assessor(s) | N.N. Mhlongo, J.R. Timberlake & T. Variawa |
Justification | This species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 64 430 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 188 km². It is known from between 20 and 25 locations and the population is experiencing declines due to illegal harvesting for the ornamental horticultural trade. The species' habitat is also declining due to urban and agricultural developments. It therefore qualifies as Near Threatened under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Limpopo, Mpumalanga |
Range | The species is found in the middle reaches of the hot, dry Limpopo valley from the eastern corner of Botswana and southern Zimbabwe adjacent to the South African border, along the Limpopo river and the Soutspansberg in Limpopo Province of South Africa towards Pafuri (Fernandes and Fernandes 1978, Timberlake et al. 2002, Germishuizen and Meyer 2003, Setshogo 2005). There are also records from further south in the Waterberg hills around Polokwane. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Musina Mopane Bushveld, Legogote Sour Bushveld, Northern Lebombo Bushveld, Pretoriuskop Sour Bushveld, Makuleke Sandy Bushveld, Sekhukhune Plains Bushveld, Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld, Makhado Sweet Bushveld, Roodeberg Bushveld |
Description | It is a low thorny shrub to 1.5 m tall, sometimes taller (de Wilde 1976, Fernandes and Fernandes 1978). The tendril-like branches arise from an irregularly shaped, ± fleshy trunk. It is found in dry rocky places and open bushland (de Wilde 1976, Fernandes and Fernandes 1978), sometimes in partial shade. |
Threats |
| The threats to this species were previously thought to be minimal as it occurs on rocky outcrops and was thought to have no uses. It has however become impacted by harvesting to supply the traditional medicine and horticultural trade. The vast majority of specimens seen in horticultural trade are wild origin plants, many of which are exceedingly large, old individuals. Wild plants of this species have been observed for sale at three of the large, well-established exporting succulent nurseries in South Africa(Scientific Authority of South Africa, motivation for CITES listing, 2020). There is some infrastructural developments for human settlement, one of the larger subpopulations in the Nzhelele district will soon be lost to urban and agricultural developments (Nkuna, 2016). Damage to the stems was noted in this subpopulation which can either be contributed to predation by animals or harvesting for medicinal uses (Nkuna, 2016). At least 24% of this species habitat has been transformed across its range (calculated using landcover GIS). Browsing by livestock is also impacting plants of this species. |
Population |
No population data are available, although it has been reported as locally common (de Wilde 1976). The South African population is suspected to be declining due to illegal collection for the specialist horticultural trade. Field surveys conducted by SANBI employees in 2020 at 6 sites recorded visible signs of harvesting in at least 20% of the plants observed. However no death from medicinal debarking was observed. The species is found in three protected areas within South Africa which should provide it with some level of protecttion.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Adenia spinosa Burtt Davy | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
De Wilde, W.J.J.O. 1976. Passifloraceae. In: J.H. Ross (ed). Flora of southern Africa 22:104-128. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
Fernandes, R. and Fernandes, A. 1978. Passifloraceae. In: E. Launert (ed). Flora Zambesiaca 4:368-411. Flora Zambesiaca Managing Committee, London.
Muasya, A.M., Stirton, C.H. and Archer, C. 2020. Ficinia pygmaea is not conspecific with F. limosa, and a description of a new species of Ficinia (Cyperaceae) from South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 128:128-131.
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.
Schmidt, E., Lotter, M. and McCleland, W. 2002. Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana, Johannesburg.
Setshogo, M.P. 2005. Preliminary Checklist of the Plants of Botswana 37. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, SABONET, Pretoria and Gaborone.
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Citation |
| Mhlongo, N.N., Timberlake, J.R. & Variawa, T. 2022. Adenia spinosa Burtt Davy. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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