KZN Plants that may be extinct in the wild... or awaiting a rediscovery
iNatters across KZN are required to search for these plant species, currently listed as Critically Endangered, Possibly Extinct (CRPE):
APOCYNACEAE Ceropegia rudatisii Hillcrest Lanternflower
Known from a few collections in an area extensively transformed by agriculture, forestry, and invasive alien plants. Searches across KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld vegetation revealed very little pristine vegetation remains within the known range of this species and no subpopulations were found.
(full red list account)
APOCYNACEAE Pachycarpus rostratus Nkandla Pachycarpus
Known from a single record from an unspecified site in the Nkandla district. This area is extensively transformed and degraded as a result of overgrazing by livestock, a deleterious fire regime, afforestation and crop cultivation. It has not been seen in more than 100 years.
(full red list account)
APOCYNACEAE Riocreuxia woodii Inanda Candlevine
Known from an inexact type locality at Inanda near Durban, where it was collected in 1884. Searches have been unsuccessful, however, experts believe that it may still be relocated as intact habitat remains in the area.
(full red list account)
ERICACEAE Erica natalensis Mont-Aux-Sources Heath
Only known from the type collection, which came from Mont-Aux-Sources in the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. The area where it is thought to have been collected is degraded due to livestock overgrazing. Search efforts are ongoing, but have not been successful to date.
(full red list account)
FABACEAE Lotononis dichiloides Fernham Lotononis
This species was last collected in the 1930s. Its habitat, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Grassland, is >90% transformed due to urban expansion, and agriculture and is degraded due to overgrazing and too frequent fire.
(full red list account)
MELIACEAE Turraea streyi Daintyleaf Honeysucklebush)
Two known wild sub-populations disappeared as a result of dense invasive alien encroachment, and one introduced sub-population of three individuals remains near the type locality. More than 80% of its coastal habitat has been transformed due to sugarcane cultivation, coastal development, and alien plant invasion. There is little hope that it could be found elsewhere in the former range.
(full red list account)
PASSIFLORACEAE Adenia natalensis Natal Elephantroot
Known from two collections made in 1865, this presumably very rare species may still be relocated in the area where it is thought to have been collected as intact habitat still remains. Search efforts are ongoing, but have not been successful to date.
(full red list account)
Comments
Adenia natalensis rediscovered!
Neil Crouch has rediscovered this healthy population in a somewhat protected area a few years ago.
The CREW Programme revisited this population in 2021. See https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=579084
@magdastlucia @graham_g @bushboy @ricky_taylor @timmcclurg @paolocandotti @wildlifevagabond @alison_young @ruthcozien @erwinsieben @surfinbird @peterwarren @m_d @ansell @markuslilje @gailbowerswinters @errol-d @gareth_preiss @suncana @stevewoodhall
Check out these interesting pursuits of long-lost species.... and add to your cred as Top KZN contributor to South Africa's Red List Plants and Animals project
Turraea streyi introduced population may also have disappeared!
Check out this observation thread from 2011: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/10800463
Pondoland CREW can add their searches to this story...
And they strike again! Power team Anne and David rediscover Ceropegia rudatisii
https://pollinationresearch.wordpress.com/2021/05/07/and-they-strike-again-power-team-anne-and-david-rediscover-ceropegia-rudatisii/
@muhammad_a Check this out. Seems like we need to go plant hunting?
Unfortunately the locality of C. rudatisii remains a researcher's secret. Herbarium specimens are not yet lodged at Bews herbarium.
C. rudatisii type: Station Dumisa, Farm Friedenau, bei Fairfield, ca. 700 m
Rudatis Rangers CREW (aka @graham_g and @daisylady) have done regular searches around the Dumisa area.
Found more populations of Riocreuxia flanaganni and other Apocynaceae members but not this Ceropegia!
A reasonable sized wild population of Turraea streyi was rediscovered above the Umkomaas valley about 2 years ago. Because of the sensitive location this has not been posted to iNat. Specimens in NH (not accessed when last checked) and NU.
The type location of Ceropegia rudatisii at Dumisa has been pretty substantially transformed so I suspect it is unlikely to be found close to the type location.
Yeh: that is what the did with Mimetes stokoei. The locality was "too sensitive" - so only three people knew where it was. And then they got invited to the opening of a Protea Orchard and discovered that the the conservation authorities had OK'd the development because there were no known threatened species in the area. The entire population was destroyed. Dont do the same.
Ah, that is a very good point, Tony. If we don't know where it is, we can't protect it.
@charles_stirton and @mr_fab do you have any advice or data on Lotononis dichiloides?
Durban CREW (@suncana; @m_d;
@muhammad_a; @berthapi2; @barry_lang) may be able to search for this species
Add a Comment