Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Leobordea magnifica (B.-E.van Wyk) B.-E.van Wyk & Boatwr.
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
FABACEAE
Synonyms
Lotononis magnifica B.-E.van Wyk
National Status
Status and Criteria
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(i); D
Assessment Date
2022/11/22
Assessor(s)
B. du Preez, N.A. Helme & D. Raimondo
Justification
A restricted range endemic to the Kamiesberg Mountains, this species has only been recorded twice, and the subpopulation from the type locality has been lost to overgrazing. It is currently extant at only one location (extent of occurrence and area of occupancy 4 km²). The subpopulation is small consisting of two mature individuals. It is possible that a few other stands of plants of this species exist but since density of individuals is always low no more than 50 mature individuals are likely still extant. The population continues to decline due to livestock overgrazing. It is therefore listed as Critically Endangered under criteria B, C and D.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Northern Cape
Range
This species is occurs in Kamieberg mountains, in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld
Description
It grows in renosterveld on granite flats.
Threats
Agriculture (in the form of ploughing) was a severe threat in the past, and there has been a loss of more than 50% of its habitat in the past 70 years. Grazing by large herds of feral donkeys, sheep and cattle is a severe threat. The subpopulation from the type locality has gone extinct due to erosion caused by overgrazing. The only other collection made in 2021 was also in severely overgrazed habitat.
Population

This species is only known from two collections. The type collection from Kamieberg Mountain was made in 1983, but this subpopulation went extinct due to overgrazing and could not be refound despite extensive searches between 2000 and 2005. A second small subpopulation consisting of only two plants was found in 2021. Searches in suitable habitat elsewhere on the Kamiesberg range during the 2021 field trip did not reveal more plants. The searchers were not exhaustive, however, and it is possible that a few other stands are still extant. The population is declining due to overgrazing. Since this species is part of the palatable legume family it is at high risk of going extinct due to overgrazing.


Population trend
Decreasing
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Lotononis magnifica B.-E.van WykCritically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) 2012.1
Lotononis magnifica B.-E.van WykCritically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) Raimondo et al. (2009)
Lotononis magnifica B.-E.van WykRare Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Boatwright, J.S., Wink, M. and Van Wyk, B.E. 2011. The generic concept of Lotononis (Crotalarieae, Fabaceae): Reinstatement of the genera Euchlora, Leobordea and Listia and the new genus Ezoloba. Taxon 60(1):161-177.


Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical 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.


Van Wyk, B.E. 1991. A synopsis of the genus Lotononis (Fabaceae: Crotalarieae). Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium 14:1-292.


Citation
du Preez, B., Helme, N.A. & Raimondo, D. 2022. Leobordea magnifica (B.-E.van Wyk) B.-E.van Wyk & Boatwr. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06

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Distribution map

© C. Paterson-Jones


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