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Scientific Name | Massonia setulosa Baker |
Higher Classification | Monocotyledons |
Family | HYACINTHACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B2ab(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2021/03/18 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali |
Justification | This species is endemic to the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, and while it has a widespread distribution, extent of occurrence (EOO) 33 911 km², and its area of occupancy (AOO) is small, at 148 km². It is known from more than 10 locations which continue to decline due to agriculture expansion and invasion of habitat by alien plants. Population decline is taking place as a result of ongoing habitat loss and degradation. This species therefore almost meets the thresholds for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B and is assessed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species is widespread occurring in both the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. It is found growing between Worcester and Stanford and extends eastwards to Mossel Bay and along the Outeniqua Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Eastern Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Central Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Kouga Sandstone Fynbos, North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, Canca Limestone Fynbos, Breede Shale Fynbos, Garden Route Granite Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Albertinia Sand Fynbos |
Description | Plants grows on sandstone outcrops or flats in clay or loamy soils. |
Threats |
| More than 68% of this species' habitat has been converted to crop fields. Comparisons of land cover datasets between 1990 and 2014 indicate significant, ongoing agricultural expansion, particularly in the Overberg and southern coast. Small remnant of renosterveld and sandstone fynbos remain, typically those that are too steep or rocky to plough. Massonia setulosa still persists on many of these as it prefers rocky soils. Field observations also indicate the spread of alien invasive plants at many remaining locations. |
Population |
More than 50% of recently recorded subpopulations occur on very small, isolated remnants, but the subpopulation sizes are unknown - therefore the population cannot be considered as severely fragmented. However, a continuing population decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Bibliography |
Manning, J.C. 2019. The genus Massonia Thunb. ex Houtt. (Hyacinthaceae: Scilloideae) in the Core Cape Floristic Region. South African Journal of Botany 121:329-354.
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Citation |
| Mtshali, H. 2021. Massonia setulosa Baker. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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