Plants possibly extinct in the Eastern Cape (& to be resurrected)
Plants that are possibly extinct in the Eastern Cape, and those that have yet to be resurrected from extinction.
When exhaustive surveys in known and/or expected habitats at appropriate times throughout a species' historic range fail to record an individual, the species is presumed to be extinct. To be declared extinct, a species must have no reasonable doubt that its last individual has died. The species that are presumed to be extinct and those that are listed as extinct are listed below. As stated in each species' rationale below, recommendations were made for each species to be thoroughly searched before such a conclusion is made; additionally, those listed as Extinct (EX) have reached the time limit for their search (50 years), but this does not mean that they cannot be resurrected from extinction!
Users of iNaturalist in the Eastern Cape, as well as visitors, are therefore encouraged to look for the following plant species, which are currently listed as Critically Endangered, Possibly Extinct (CRPE), and to share any information/data they may have on the species listed as Extinct (EX).
iNaters are also kindly asked to submit any data/information they may have about these species by writing a comment below each species about which they may know. These species are:
Species Listing.
Ordered by status and then family
Extinct
EX APOCYNACEAE Brachystelma schoenlandianum Uitenhage Little Crown
Known from type specimen only, described in 1893. The area where this species was collected is transformed as a result of urban development, and it has not been found despite numerous searches over the past 15 years and is thus considered extinct.
EX APOCYNACEAE Ceropegia bowkeri bowkeri Collywobble Bushpipe
Last seen over 100 years ago. Its former habitat is degraded. Searches by Ceropegia experts over many years have failed to locate any surviving populations. Heavy grazing over the past 100 years is likely to have caused its extinction.
Currently: Extinct!
EX APOCYNACEAEXysmalobium baurii Bizana Cartwheel
Known from one collection made in 1890 in Bizana and has not been collected since. A large area (500 km²) in and around Bizana has been transformed for subsistence agriculture and what habitat remains between ploughed areas has been severely degraded by overgrazing and trampling. Searches failed to relocate this species and it is therefore considered extinct.
EX FABACEAE Cyclopia filiformis Van Stadens Honeybush
Not seen since the type collection was made in 1897. Repeated searches in the area have failed to relocate it. Afforestation and alien plant invasions have likely led to this species extinction.
EX ROSACEAE Cliffortia bolusii Lost Caperose
A very poorly known species with only a single surviving fragment remaining of a collection made over a century ago. This collection was made near Graaff-Reinet on the Nardouwsberg. Weimarck resisted naming this species until more information became available, despite the fact that it was distinct both taxonomically and biogeographically. No further collections have been made seventy years after his monograph, but the trifoliate leaves, lacking stipules and with flat oblong leaflets, are distinctive. More searches for the species are encouraged in order for it to be included in the red list assessment and other conservation plans for the area. (Whitehouse, C. M., & Fellingman, A. C. (2007). New species and notes on the genus Cliffortia (Rosaceae). Bothalia, 37(1), 174 - 177.)
Presumed Extinct - Critically Endangered if not ...
CR PE AIZOACEAE Delosperma hollandii Albany Sheepfig
Delosperma hollandii is a rare species that was discovered in 1950. It may be locally extinct as a result of habitat loss due to urban and industrial development, but field surveys are required to confirm this.
We have nice records on iNat: please survey surrounding areas
CR PE AIZOACEAE Trichodiadema stayneri
This species was last collected on the eastern outskirts of Uitenhage in 1960. It is very likely extinct in this area due to habitat loss caused by urban and industrial development. However, because another similar habitat in the area has not yet been thoroughly surveyed for remaining subpopulations, this species cannot yet be classified as Extinct.
This is found: we have nice records on iNat: please survey surrounding areas
CR PE ALLIACEAE Tulbaghia cominsii Buffalo Garlic
An extremely range-restricted species (EOO 7 km²), the known existing subpopulations of which were all destroyed as a result of a road construction project. Urgent searches are needed to determine whether any other wild subpopulations exist.
CR PE APOCYNACEAE Ceropegia tomentosa
This species is only known from a single collection, which was collected between Butterworth and Umtata. Because of the growing human population and high stocking rates, the survival of this species is highly unlikely. Field surveys must be completed before this species can be declared extinct.
CR PE APOCYNACEAE Xysmalobium winterbergense Winterberg Cartwheel
Only known from the type collection, A. Nicholas (Asclepiad expert) has searched for and failed to find this species. Because members of this genus are extremely sensitive to livestock grazing, it is possible that this species has become extinct as a result of overgrazing. More surveys are needed to confirm this.
CR PE ASTERACEAE Phymaspermum peglerae Bronze Sheepdaisy
The last record of this little-known species was in 1910. It may be extinct as a result of habitat loss due to urbanization, but field surveys are required to confirm this.
CR PE ASTERACEAE Senecio hirtifolius Swartkops Ragweed
Ecklon and Zeyher collected it in 1895 at Uitenhage on the Swartkops River. It has not been recorded since and is most likely extinct because the type of area has been almost completely transformed by urban development and crop cultivation.
CR PE CONVOLVULACEAE Merremia malvaefolia Albany Merremia
Merremia malvaefolia hasn't been collected in over a century, and it's only known from a few scattered collections with no specific location. Recent searches in the coastal hills around Port Alfred, where this species is thought to live, revealed that the habitat has been drastically altered and that if it were confined to this area, it would almost certainly become extinct. More searches are being conducted between Port Alfred and East London in similar suitable habitats.
CR PE HYACINTHACEAE Albuca nana Little Tamarak (Dwarf Slimelily)
Albuca nana is only known from the type, which was collected more than 100 years ago at Redhouse, an area that has been extensively transformed due to Port Elizabeth's urban and industrial expansion. It is most likely extinct, but surveys are still required to confirm this. A large proportion of Albuca remains unrevised, and this species has been overlooked and may have been misidentified in the past because it belongs to an unrevised section of Albuca. Furthermore, a number of species previously thought to be extinct and known only from Port Elizabeth have recently been relocated around the city, so there’s some hope that this species can still be located.
CR PE HYACINTHACEAE Albuca prolifera Baakens Tamarak
Albuca prolifera is a one-of-a-kind species known only from the type collection from an area of Port Elizabeth that has been extensively transformed due to urban expansion. It was overlooked in previous checklists (Germishuizen et al. 2006) and similarly to Albuca nana, it may have been misidentified in the past as the genus Albuca is still being revised. Furthermore, a number of previously thought-extinct species known only from the Port Elizabeth area have been rediscovered, and it is likely that these species will be relocated.
CR PE LOBELIACEAE Lobelia zwartkopensis Limepool Lobelia
Only two collections, presumably from the same location in the early 1800s, are known. Due to urbanization, they are most likely extinct.
CR PE SCROPHULARIACEAE Selago polycephala
Restricted to the area between Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth along the Swartkops River. All historical sites have been completely transformed or are currently under dense stands of invasive alien plants since they were last collected in 1967. This species is almost certainly extinct.
