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Scientific Name | Acanthopsis spathularis (Nees) Schinz |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ACANTHACEAE |
Synonyms | Acanthodium spathulare Nees, Acanthus spathularis E.Mey., Blepharis spathularis (Nees) Anderson |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2023/02/07 |
Assessor(s) | H.M. Steyn & L. von Staden |
Justification | A very rare, localised species, rediscovered in 2015 after it was last collected in 1830. It is currently known from a single, small subpopulation that is potentially threatened by habitat degradation. It is possible that other, as yet undiscovered, subpopulations exist, as the habitat is remote and still poorly explored. It is therefore assessed as Vulnerable under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to Namaqualand, Anenous Pass near Steinkopf. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Anenous Plateau Shrubland, Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland |
Description | It occurs in sandy soils on mountain summits, 550-650 m. |
Threats |
| There are no severe threats to this species at present. Its entire range falls within communally owned rangelands, which are overstocked with livestock. Part of these rangelands are severely degraded due to overgrazing. This species has however been found in a very remote area where grazing pressure is low, and grazing does not yet appear to have a negative impact on the population. It is however likely that this pressure could impact the population in the future. |
Population |
This species was previously known only from the type collection, dating from 1830 at a locality that cannot be traced. In 2015, a subpopulation was rediscovered in a small area near Springbok. There are two stands of plants recorded, each consisting of about 100 plants. The population at present appears to be healthy and is not suspected to be declining. It is possibly more widespread as its habitat remains poorly explored.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Acanthopsis spathularis (E.Mey.) Schinz | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Clarke, C.B. 1901. Acanthaceae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis V Section I (Acanthaceae-Proteaceae):1-92. Lovell Reeve & Co., Ltd., London.
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.
Snijman, D.A. 2013. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 2: The extra Cape flora. Strelitzia 30. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Steyn, H.M. and Van Wyk, A.E. 2016. Taxonomic notes on the shrublet species of Acanthopsis (Acanthaceae, tribe Acantheae), with two new species from South Africa. Phytotaxa 244(2):145-160.
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Citation |
| Steyn, H.M. & von Staden, L. 2023. Acanthopsis spathularis (Nees) Schinz. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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