a description of the endemic flora and vegetation - Critical ...

A DESCRIPTION OF THE ENDEMIC FLORA 

AND VEGETATION OF THE KAMIESBERG 

UPLANDS, NAMAQUALAND, SOUTH 

AFRICA. 

____________________________________________________________________ 

by 

Nick Helme and Philip Desmet 

June 2006

Study conducted by: 

Date: June 2006 

NICK HELME BOTANICAL SURVEYS 

PO Box 22652, Scarborough, 7975 

Ph: 021 780 1420; Fax: 021 780 1868; Cell: 082 82 38350 

Email: botaneek@iafrica.com 

DR. PHILIP DESMET 

84 Clearwater Road, Lynnwood Glen, 0081 

Ph: 012 348-0577; Cell: 082 352-2955 

Email: factoryrider@absamail.co.za 

Client: Project funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund of Conservation 

International, Washington, DC. Coordinated by SKEP (Succulent Karoo 

Ecosystem Project) 

Citation: Helme, N. and Desmet, P.G. (2006) A Description Of The Endemic Flora 

And Vegetation Of The Kamiesberg Uplands, Namaqualand, South Africa. 

Report for CEPF/SKEP. 

Key words: Kamiesberg, Namaqualand, fynbos, renosterveld, endemic, species, 

granite, mountain, flora, Red Data Book, vegetation, conservation. 

Cover picture: A view of the Kamiesberg Uplands in the Langkloof area east of 

Rooiberg, showing typical granite domes (photo: Nick Helme). 

Flora and Vegetation of the Kamiesberg – Helme and Desmet 1

SUMMARY 

The Kamiesberg massif (the key element of the Namaqualand Uplands SKEP priority 

area) lies northeast of the town of Garies, some 500km north of Cape Town, and at 

its highest point (Rooiberg peak) reaches 1706m, which is also the highest point in 

the broader Namaqualand region. The Kamiesberg Centre (KBC), as it has become 

known, was recognised as one of several foci of high endemism within the Succulent 

Karoo, and Van Wyk & Smith (2001) reinforced this, defining the area as the land 

above the 1200m contour. 

The latest South African vegetation map (Mucina & Rutherford 2003) identifies five 

distinct vegetation types within the area, including one (Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos) 

that is restricted to the area, and another (Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld) that 

is found only here and on the escarpment west of Springbok. This national 

vegetation map also includes Blomveld, along with a division of the Upland Succulent 

Karoo into two Shrubland units - Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland and 

Kamiesberg Mountain Shrubland. We regard these five vegetation types as being an 

acceptable and relatively accurate broad scale description of the vegetation types in 

the area, but have redrawn the extent of the individual vegetation types. 

Habitat transformation is primarily associated with dryland cropping, followed by 

heavy grazing, and too frequent fires. Cropping naturally targets the higher rainfall 

areas and deeper soils, which corresponds closely with the upper Renosterveld 

plateau (above 1000m). 

The currently mapped extent of Renosterveld is substantially smaller than previously 

thought and transformation is much more accurately mapped than previously. This 

vegetation type is the most heavily impacted vegetation type in the Kamiesberg, and 

is the one of greatest conservation concern. This vegetation type supports the 

second highest number of endemic plant species in the KBC (after Granite Fynbos), 

with at least 21 endemics or near endemics found in this vegetation type. This 

vegetation type is the only one in the Uplands that is regarded as threatened on a 

national basis, with a Vulnerable NSBA status (Rouget et al 2004). 

During the course of this study at least three species were recorded which had not 

been previously recorded from Namaqualand, and five possible new (undescribed) 

species were discovered. 


Fifty seven endemic plant species are known from the Kamiesberg, along with a 

further 57 near endemics, whose primary range lies within the Kamiesberg uplands, 

and all are listed along with the vegetation type with which they are most associated. 

Many endemics are restricted to the higher peaks (above 1300m) and to the 

Renosterveld plateau (900-1200m), and especially important upland areas are the 

three highest peaks - Rooiberg, Sneeukop, and Eselkop. 

A Red Data Book listing exercise indicated that at least 37% of these 114 species are 

regarded as threatened in some way, with a further 23% on the Orange List, which is 

for species regarded as rare, but not currently threatened. Thus it can be said that 

some 60% of the endemic or near endemic flora is rare or threatened. Should some 

of the species on the Orange list become threatened they would immediately move 

onto the Red Data list. Renosterveld and Granite Fynbos habitats support the bulk 

of the threatened plant species. 

Wetlands, particularly those on the plateau (in Renosterveld) have been identifed as 

special habitats in need of particular conservation attention, in view of their high 

levels of transformation, importance in terms of biodiversity conservation, and as 

water sources. Wetlands in the Granite Fynbos areas are usually in better condition, 

but are especially important in terms of biodiversity conservation, and as catchment 

areas and sponges for reliable water supply for large portions of the adjacent 

Kamiesberg lowlands. 

Given that no land within the Kamiesberg Uplands is currently formally or informally 

conserved, a strong recommendation is thus made to establish a formal conservation 

network in the Kamiesberg Uplands, based on priority areas identified in this report. 


Table of Contents 

1 INTRODUCTION 7 

2 STUDY AREA 7 

3 METHODOLOGY 14 

3.1 Field Survey 14 

3.2 Climatic data 15 

3.3 Fire Data 15 

3.4 Vegetation Mapping 15 

3.4.1 Wetlands 16 

3.4.2 Modelling Fynbos, Renosterveld and Mountain Shrubland Vegetation 17 

3.4.3 Modelling the Remainder of the Vegetation of the Kamiesberg Uplands (i.e. 

Klipkop) 17 

3.4.4 Refining the South African Vegetation Map for the Remainder of the Kamiesberg 

Municipality 18 

3.5 Vegetation Transformation 18 

3.6 Wetland Transformation 18 

4 DESCRIPTION OF VEGETATION TYPES 19 

4.1 Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos 22 

4.2 Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld 24 

4.3 Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland & Kamiesberg Mountain Shrubland 26 

5 DISTRIBUTION OF ENDEMIC SPECIES 27 

5.1 Peaks 29 

5.2 Renosterveld Flats 30 

6 IMPORTANT HABITATS 31 

7 DISCOVERIES 35 

8 RED DATA BOOK STATUS OF THE FLORA 16 

9 CONSERVATION STATUS AND THREATS TO THE VEGETATION OF THE 

KAMIESBERG 37 

10 SPATIAL PRIORITIES FOR CONSERVATION ACTION 41 


11 PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE RESEARCH 43 

12 REFERENCES 45 

13 APPENDIX 1: LIST OF KAMIESBERG ENDEMIC AND NEAR ENDEMIC 

SEED PLANTS 47 

List of Figures 

Figure 1: The location of the Kamiesberg within the broader regional (Namaqualand) 

context. .............................................................................................................. 8 

Figure 2: The core study area for this project centred on the main peaks of the 

Kamiesberg Mountains with elevation above 1200m.......................................... 9 

Figure 3: Mean annual precipitation for the Kamiesberg interpolated from long-term 

weather station data (>15 years) using a 90m digital elevation model and 

ANUSLIN interpolation software....................................................................... 10 

Figure 4: Rainfall seasonality expressed as percentage winter precipitation (May to 

October)........................................................................................................... 11 

Figure 5: Occurrence of fires in the Kamiesberg between November 2000 and 

November 2005 based on data from NASA’s MODIS satellites Firemap archive. 

......................................................................................................................... 12 

Figure 6: The occurrence of individual fire events and their relative size in the 

Kamiesberg...................................................................................................... 13 

Figure 7: The seasonality of fires in the Kamiesberg between November 2000 and 

November 2005................................................................................................ 13 

Figure 8: The decision tree for classifying the remainder of the vegetation of the 

Kamiesberg uplands (i.e. Klipkop) within the municipal study area, using rainfall 

seasonality, slope and elevation into South African vegetation sub-types. ....... 18 

Figure 9: (Following page): The vegetation of the Kamiesberg Municipality as 

mapped for this project..................................................................................... 20 

Figure 10: (Previous page): The modelled distribution of Kamiesberg fynbos, 

renosterveld and shrubland vegetation types in the Kamiesberg...................... 22 

Figure 11 (following page): Location of sample plots and extent of focal vegetation 

types as mapped in the field on 1:50 000 topographical maps. ........................ 27 

Figure 12 (following page): The distribution of important wetlands and riparian areas 

within the Kamiesberg, and a classification of their conservation priority based 

on the degree to which they are transformed through cropping. ....................... 32 

Figure 13: The ecosystem status of SA vegetation sub-types within the Kamiesberg 

Municipality. ..................................................................................................... 39 

Figure 14: The overall level of transformation of wetlands and riparian areas in the 

Kamiesberg...................................................................................................... 40 

Figure 15: Transformation of the six different wetland broad habitat units. .............. 40 


List of Tables 

Table 1: The classification of vegetation within the Kamiesberg municipal area. ..... 16 

Table 2: Wetland and riparian zone broad habitat units........................................... 16 

Table 3: A guide to the synonyms for the different vegetation types in the Kamiesberg 

Uplands, as referred to by different authors...................................................... 20 

Table 4: The list of new and possible new species discovered during the coarse of 

this project........................................................................................................ 35 

Table 5: Analysis of the Red Data Book status of the Kamiesberg endemic and near 

endemic flora …………………………………………………………………….16 

Table 6: A summary of the extent of transformation of vegetation due to cropping and 

mining within the Kamiesberg Municipality, and the resultant ecosystem status 

classification………………………………………………………………………. 38 

List of Plates 

Plate 1:View of mature Fynbos vegetation on Sneeukop showing abundant restioid 

cover................................................................................................................ 23 

Plate 2: Protea namaquana (skaamroos; Proteaceae) is the only Protea found in the 

Kamiesberg, and is endemic to Fynbos areas on Rooiberg and Eselkop. This 

striking plant is Red Data Book listed as Critically Endangered. ....................... 24 

Plate 3: View of mature Renosterveld near Rooiberg, with agricultural lands visible in 

background. The grey shrub is Elytropappus rhinocerotis (renosterbos), the 

yellow is Oedera genistifolia (gombos), and the tall green is Dodonaea 

angustifolia (ysterhout)..................................................................................... 25 

Plate 4: Spring view of the north slopes of Rooiberg (with Fynbos), with Renosterveld 

on the plateau (grey lower slopes). Colourful spring annuals dominate the 

previously ploughed areas, and a small seasonal stream is an important habitat 

for numerous species....................................................................................... 26 

Plate 5: View from the top of Rooiberg Peak (1706m) to the south, with Stalberg 

visible on the left. ............................................................................................. 29 

Plate 6: Moraea longiflora (Iridaceae) is a rare Kamiesberg endemic largely restricted 

to Renosterveld areas. Each flower is open for only a single day. .................... 31 

Plate 7: View of seasonal wetland in early summer, near Sneeukop. This area is 

heavily grazed and is dominated by a large sedge (“matjies”). ......................... 32 

Plate 8: Hesperantha latifolia (Iridaceae) is dwarf geophyte restricted to shallow 

pockets of seasonally wet sand on rocky domes in the Kamiesberg................. 34 


1 INTRODUCTION 

The Kamiesberg massif (the key element of the Namaqualand Uplands SKEP priority 

area) lies northeast of the town of Garies, some 500km north of Cape Town, and at 

its highest point (Rooiberg peak) reaches 1706m, which is also the highest point in 

the broader Namaqualand region. The Kamiesberg (also spelt as Khamiesberg in 

older texts) was first recognised by Marloth (1908) as being a distinct outlier of the 

Cape Floristic Region (CFR), and this was emphasised by Adamson in 1938, and by 

Weimarck in 1941. More recently Hilton Taylor & Le Roux (1989) commented on the 

high levels of threatened plant taxa in the Kamiesberg, and Rourke (1990) noted 

some of the many endemics, with particular emphasis on their links with the Fynbos 

core some 180km to the south. The Kamiesberg Centre (KBC), as it has become 

known, was recognised by Hilton Taylor (1994, 1996) as one of several foci of high 

endemism within the Succulent Karoo, and Van Wyk & Smith (2001) reinforced this, 

defining the area as the land above the 1200m contour. The recent SANBI 

Vegetation Map of South Africa (Mucina & Rutherford 2003) recognises one distinct 

vegetation type (Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos) that is restricted to the area, and 

another (Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld) that is found only here and on the 

escarpment west of Springbok. But although the KBC is well recognised as a centre 

of diversity, and a priority conservation area in Namaqualand (Helme 1992; Lombard 

et al 1999; SKEP strategy 2003), no comprehensive inventory or analysis of the 

endemic or threatened flora has ever been conducted, hindering the ability to design 

an effective conservation strategy. 

Project objective 

• The objective of this project is to provide essential baseline data on the 

distribution and conservation status of the endemic and threatened flora and 

habitats of the KBC, along with assessment of vegetation boundaries. 

2 STUDY AREA 

The total study area is approximately 7000km 2 in extent, and is broadly defined as 

the area above the 1000m contour, centred on the historic village of Leliefontein 

(Figure 1 and Figure 2). The study area lies east of the N7 highway, and west of the 

Bushmanland plateau. The town of Kamieskroon lies some 15km southwest of the 

northern edge of the plateau, and the town of Garies is just outside the southwestern 

edge of the massif. The eastern boundary with Bushmanland is difficult to define, as 


there is no clear escarpment, and the Kamiesberg merely fades away in a series of 

ever lower ridges into the plateau. The western side is much better defined, with a 

significant escarpment evident as one drives north along the N7 from Garies to 

Springbok. 

Figure 1: The location of the Kamiesberg within the broader regional (Namaqualand) 

context. 

Most of the Fynbos elements in the Kamiesberg are restricted to areas above 

1200m, and this altitude would thus serve as a better cut-off for these elements. The 

total area in the Kamiesberg above 1200m is 227km 2 , although it is only the western 

half that is wet enough to support proper fynbos vegetation. However, much of the 

Renosterveld in the Kamiesberg occurs on a plateau that lies between 1000 and 

1200m. Thus, defining the Kamiesberg Uplands as only the area above 1200m would 

thus exclude much of the Renosterveld, and the associated species restricted to this 

vegetation type. There is a complex interplay between elevation and rainfall such that 

in the southwest, on the rain-ward side of the Kamiesberg, fynbos and renosterveld 


element occur as low as 800m, whereas in the north and east similar elements are 

only encountered above 1200m. 

Figure 2: The core study area for this project centred on the main peaks of the 

Kamiesberg Mountains with elevation above 1200m. 

There is a significant decline in average annual rainfall from the western escarpment 

to the Bushmanland plateau, and this also spans a transition from predominantly 

winter (cyclonic) rainfall to mainly summer thunderstorm rainfall (Figure 3 and Figure 

4). See Desmet and Cowling 1998 for a more detailed discussion of the regional 

climate. 

Both these factors have a significant effect on the vegetation structure and species 

present. The altitude of the massif means that not only are average temperatures 

cooler than the surrounding areas, but average rainfall is higher. The long-term 

average for Leliefontein (1350masl) noted by Adamson (1938) was 323mm per 

annum, with Garies (200masl) only recording only 126mm The interpolated rainfall 

data indicates that the high, southwestern peaks could be receiving in excess of 

400mm per annum. Frosts are common in winter above 1000m, and snow falls on 

average once or twice a year, mainly above 1200m (pers. obs.). Summer maximum 


temperatures can be very high, even on the upper plateau, and many days are over 

30 0 C, with occasional peaks of over 40 0 . Strong easterly bergwind conditions, 

especially in winter and spring, can rapidly raise ambient temperatures and lower 

humidity to very low levels. However, the persistent southern sea breeze off the cold 

Atlantic Ocean that dominates the littoral climate of Namaqualand significantly 

moderates the temperatures of south-west or seaward facing slopes of the 

Kamiesberg throughout the majority of the year. This oceanic influence also 

increases the incidence of fog and dew in these areas adding to the very strong 

west-east moisture gradient. 

Figure 3: Mean annual precipitation for the Kamiesberg interpolated from long-term 

weather station data (>15 years) using a 90m digital elevation model and ANUSLIN 

interpolation software. 

Soils throughout the study area are very consistent, and are all derived from the 

underlying granites and gneisses that form such prominent features in the landscape 

(see photo on title page). Convex slopes tend to have deeper colluvial soils, and the 

deepest soils (sandy loams) are found in the valleys and on the plateaus, where 

there may be accumulations of fine-grained silts as well as some areas of 

kaolinization of subsoils. The convex slopes are typically very rocky, with shallow, 


often coarse-grained, sandy soils. The nearest mountain Fynbos areas (some 

180km to the south, with poorly defined outliers on the escarpment west of 

Springbok, some 40km to the northwest) are all found on sandstone or quartzite 

derived soils. On the Namaqualand coastal plain are scattered Sand Fynbos areas, 

but these are found on leached sands of marine origin. The nearest Fynbos on 

granite soils is in the Tulbagh area, some 350km to the south. 

Figure 4: Rainfall seasonality expressed as percentage winter precipitation (May to 

October). 

Fire is probably one of the most important management features that can be 

manipulated, and it is difficult to know what the original (“natural”) fire frequency 

would have been. It is clear that lightning storms can and do start fires in the higher 

peaks (Mr Beukes – pers. comm.), and these fires occasionally burn large areas. 

These days people are probably the main source of fire ignition, and it is thus likely 

that fire frequency has increased in certain areas. The natural fire frequency in the 

Fynbos and Renosterveld areas would probably be less than for more typical Fynbos 

areas further south, simply because of the aridity of the area. A frequency of once 

every 20 - 30 years may be optimal. There are some Fynbos areas in the 

Kamiesberg that have apparently not burned for over forty or fifty years (various 


esidents – pers. comm.), and although dense and quite woody, the vegetation is not 

yet fully senescent. This suggests that long periods without fire are probably a 

natural feature of this vegetation. 

Detailed satellite data on fire occurences and spatial extent can be informative. 

Inspection of the satellite data on the occurrences of fires in the Kamiesberg between 

November 2000 and November 2005 indicates that all fires recorded occurred within 

or adjacent to the Leliefontein commonage (Figure 5). Fires appear to occur at fairly 

regular intervals (Figure 6) and their occurrence peaks in late summer (Figure 7) 

which coincides with the end of the dry-season as well as the period of peak 

thunderstorm activity. Fire incidence and management is certainly a serious 

conservation concern for the fynbos vegetation of the Kamiesberg. Some slow 

growing (frequent-fire intolerant) species, such as Protea namaquana, have suffered 

significant population crashes in parts of their former ranges in and adjacent to the 

Leliefontein commonage (Rebelo et al – in prep.). Any conservation program 

focussing on the endemic flora of the Kamiesberg will need to address issues around 

fire. 

Figure 5: Occurrence of fires in the Kamiesberg between November 2000 and 

November 2005 based on data from NASA’s MODIS satellites Firemap archive. 


Figure 6: The occurrence of individual fire events and their relative size in the 

Kamiesberg. 

Figure 7: The seasonality of fires in the Kamiesberg between November 2000 and 

November 2005. 

Different models of land tenure are a feature of the Kamiesberg, with the central 

portion of the uplands being communally owned (Leliefontein, Nouriver, Paulshoek), 

and with the northern and southern parts being privately owned (eg. Sneeukop, 

Rooiberg, Anegas). Sheep and boerbok (goat) farming (with some cattle), is the 

primary agricultural activity in the area, with dryland cereals being planted in 

cultivated lands on the deeper colluvial soils in the valleys. Cropping has almost 

entirely eradicated renosterveld in the valleys. There are few extensive examples of 

this vegetation left, with perhaps the largest areas being in the rolling hills in 

Rooiberg to Welkom area. Wetlands have also been significantly impacted. It is 


apparent that crop yields have dropped dramatically over the last forty years, which is 

attributed to increasingly unreliable winter rainfall (various residents – pers. comm.). 

Donkeys are a feature primarily of the communally owned land, and in some areas 

these appear to be largely wild populations, with no clear owners. Stocking rates are 

generally lower now than they were in the past, and some areas have been much 

more heavily grazed than others. Grazing management is a complex and often hotly 

disputed issue, and will not be discussed in any detail in this report, but different 

grazing management strategies can clearly have significant impacts on the natural 

vegetation (pers. obs.). Land tenure models are also a “hot” topic, with significant 

management implications, but are not discussed in any detail in this report. Other 

components of the Namaqualand Uplands project discuss land tenure and farming 

practices in more detail. See also the forthcoming special issue of the Journal of Arid 

Environments that is devoted to ecological and social issues in Namaqualand. 

No permanent streams exist in the area, although there are a number of perennial 

springs. Numerous seasonal streams flow from the peaks in winter and spring, often 

well into November. Seasonal wetlands are a unique feature of the higher mountain 

slopes and valleys, as well as on the upper plateau above about 1000m. 

3 METHODOLOGY 

3.1 Field Survey 

The study area was visited on at least four separate occasions, in July, Sep, and Nov 

2004, and again in late Oct 2005. Previous fieldtrips were made in 1988, 1991, and 

2000, but these were not part of this project. Fieldtrips usually lasted three or four 

days, and an effort was made to visit as many of the high altitude areas (>1200m) as 

possible. Most of the peaks over 1400m were surveyed. 

Background research included the compilation of a list of the endemic species of the 

Kamiesberg Uplands. This was done from various published (Rourke 1990, Hilton 

Taylor 1996, Van Wyk & Smith 2001) and unpublished references. Extensive 

literature reviews of formal taxonomic revisions (eg. Dahlgren 1988, Linder & Ellis 

1990, Van Wyk 1991, Hammer 1993, Perry 1994, Perry 1999, Manning & Goldblatt 

2001, Linder 2002) revealed the presence of previously unlisted endemic species, 

and various specialists were consulted. 


Whenever an endemic species was found during fieldwork a GPS location was 

recorded using a handheld Garmin eTrex Summit GPS unit. 77 such points were 

recorded. In addition 37 vegetation plots were surveyed, where a range of 

environmental variables were recorded, Braun Blanquet values for the dominant 

species, and all endemic species in the area were recorded. Plants were identified 

at the Compton Herbarium (Kirstenbosch), or by relevant experts, and voucher 

specimens were deposited at the Compton Herbarium (NBG). 

3.2 Climatic data 

Long-term rainfall data for weather stations occurring in Namaqualand was obtained 

from the South African Weather Bureau. A mean annual rainfall surface was 

interpolated for the Kamiesberg from this data using ANUSPLIN (Hutchinson, 2001) 

software and using the SRTM digital elevation model as a co-variant. This rainfall 

surface was used in the model predicting the occurrence of the different vegetation 

types in the Kamiesberg. 

3.3 Fire Data 

Data on the incidence of fires in the Kamiesberg was obtained from NASA’s firemap 

archive. These data are based on observations made by the MODIS Terra and Aqua 

satellites. This data can be accessed via http://rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/, or for 

South Africa via SAFNet (http://safnet.umd.edu/index.asp), which is a regional 

network that fosters collaborative efforts in fire monitoring and management in 

southern Africa. 

3.4 Vegetation Mapping 

The vegetation of the entire Kamiesberg Municipality was mapped by combining four 

separate mapping approaches. During the mapping process South African vegetation 

type categories were subdivided where appropriate to reflect east-west and lowland- 

upland biogeographical gradients (Table 1). The aim of the mapping approach was 

to refine the boundary accuracy of the South African vegetation map and not 

delineate new or finer-scale vegetation units. Therefore, the resultant map fits 

seamlessly into the current national vegetation classification and descriptions. 


Table 1: The classification of vegetation within the Kamiesberg municipal area. 

South African Vegetation Type South African Vegetation Sub-Type (Class1) 

Bio-Physical 

Region (Class2) 

Platbakkies Succulent Shrubland Platbakkies Succulent Shrubland Hardeveld east 

Bushmanland Vloere Bushmanland Vloere Bushmanland 

Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld Quartz Patches Hardeveld west 

Namaqualand Strandveld Namaqualand Strandveld Inland Sandveld 

Riethuis Quartz Vygieveld Riethuis Quartz Vygieveld Hardeveld west 

Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld Hardeveld west 

Namaqualand Arid Grassland Namaqualand Arid Grassland Sandveld 

Namaqualand Riviere Namaqualand Riviere Rivers 

Bushmanland Arid Grassland Bushmanland Arid Grassland Bushmanland 

West Bushmanland Klipveld West Bushmanland Klipveld Bushmanland 

Namaqualand Blomveld Namaqualand Blomveld Eastern Hardeveld east 

Arid Estuarine Salt Marshes Arid Estuarine Salt Marshes Estuaries 

Namaqualand Sand Fynbos Namaqualand Sand Fynbos Sandveld 

Namaqualand Strandveld Namaqualand Strandveld Coastal Sandveld 

Namaqualand Inland Duneveld Namaqualand Inland Duneveld Sandveld 

Namaqualand Strandveld Namaqualand Strandveld Coastal Odyssea Grassland Sandveld 

Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld Namaqualand Coastal Dune Corridors Sandveld 

Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld Wooleya Veld Sandveld 

Namaqualand Salt Pans Namaqualand Salt Pans Sandveld 

Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld Sandveld 

Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos Kamiesberg 

Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld Kamiesberg 

Kamiesberg Mountains Shrubland Kamiesberg Mountains Shrubland Kamiesberg 

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Eastern Hardeveld east 

Namaqualand Blomveld Namaqualand Blomveld Kamiesberg 

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Upland Kamiesberg 

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Hardeveld west 

3.4.1 Wetlands 

The extent of seasonal wetlands and riparian zones in the Kamiesberg Mountains 

was mapped from Ikonos satellite imagery from 2003 using the RGB and infrared 

spectral bands. Although the imagery was from the summer months, wetland and 

riparian vegetation still showed a high degree of photosynthetic activity relative to 

surrounding vegetation and were therefore fairly easy to distinguish. The scale of 

mapping was 1:5000. Only existing wetlands were mapped, and although former 

wetlands, which are now converted to croplands, are in many cases still discernable 

as a result of observable soils differences, these were not mapped. 

The mapped wetlands and riparian areas were classified into six broad habitat units 

(BHU) based on elevation and slope (Table 2). 

Table 2: Wetland and riparian zone broad habitat units. 

Wetland Broad Habitat Unit 

1 Flat valley bottom below 1300m 

4 Mountain slopes below 1300m 


3.4.2 Modelling Fynbos, Renosterveld and Mountain Shrubland Vegetation 

For the Kamiesberg fynbos, renosterveld and mountain shrubland vegetation types a 

GIS-based statistical modelling approach was used. Mapping these vegetation types 

from aerial imagery is very difficult as there are no sharp boundaries between them. 

Transitions from one to the next are generally marked by a gradual transition rather 

than a distinct or observable interface. Added to this is the topographic complexity of 

the landscape meaning that with frequent changes in elevation, slope and aspect the 

vegetation changes similarly. Therefore, a modelling approach was used to generate 

a map that represents the approximate occurrences of these vegetation types within 

the region rather than a manual digitising method. We used a stand-alone modelling 

package called MAXENT that uses a general-purpose maximum entropy method for 

making predictions or inferences from incomplete information (Philips et al. 2004 and 

2005). It was developed for modelling species distributions using presence only data, 

but in our case vegetation types replaced the “species”. The software uses training 

sites based on known occurrences of the vegetation type and then predicts the 

probability of occurrence of the vegetation based on a set in input environmental 

variables. In our modelling we used elevation, slope, aspect and rainfall as 

explanatory variables. The software is freely available from 

http://www.cs.princeton.edu/~schapire/maxent. 

3.4.3 Modelling the Remainder of the Vegetation of the Kamiesberg Uplands 

(i.e. Klipkop/pe) 

For the remainder of rocky or upland (Klipkop/pe) areas, vegetation types were 

mapped using a simple classification tree model based on rainfall seasonality, slope 

and elevation (Figure 8). This was done as the complex topography of the region 

made manual digitising difficult, in addition to the problem associated with diffuse 

vegetation boundaries. This re-mapping of vegetation types was necessitated as the 

existing South African vegetation map represented a poor interpretation of patterns 

observable in the field. 


Figure 8: The decision tree for classifying the remainder of the vegetation of the 

Kamiesberg uplands (i.e. Klipkop/pe) within the municipal study area, using rainfall 

seasonality, slope and elevation into South African vegetation sub-types. 

3.4.4 Refining the South African Vegetation Map for the Remainder of the 

Kamiesberg Municipality 

For the coastal plain (Sandveld and Hardeveld) and Bushmanland plateau areas of 

the Kamiesberg municipal area (i.e. non-klipkoppe or upland areas) the boundaries 

between vegetation types of the existing South African vegetation map were 

manually refined to improve boundary accuracy. The refined boundaries represent a 

significant improvement in boundary accuracy as well as change in the distribution of 

respective vegetation units. 

3.5 Vegetation Transformation 

The extent of croplands in the Kamiesberg was mapped from the Ikonos imagery 

obtained for this project. Outside of the Ikonos coverage croplands and mined areas 

were mapped from the ASTERSAT imagery. Scale of mapping for the Ikonos 

imagery was 1:5000 and 1:20 000 for the ASTERSAT imagery. Degradation due to 

livestock grazing was not quantified. 

3.6 Wetland Transformation 

An accurate measure of the degree of transformation of wetlands in the Kamiesberg 

could not be calculated, as the original extent of wetlands could not be accurately 

mapped. Wetlands are often closely associated with croplands in valley bottoms. 


Field observations indicate that there are very few examples of intact wetland in 

valleys as croplands often cut into or totally destroy these habitats. On mountain 

slopes, however, wetlands and riparian areas appear relatively intact. Therefore to 

estimate the degree of transformation/degradation of wetlands, the proportion of 

each wetland BHU type bounded by a cropland relative to the total length of that 

wetland type was used as a coarse surrogate for the degree to which a wetland type 

has been negatively impacted by land-use practices. 

4 DESCRIPTION OF VEGETATION TYPES 

The only published description of the vegetation of the Kamiesberg remains that of 

Adamson (1938). This account is relatively accurate, and is regarded as a solid base 

for further work. Adamson (1938) distinguished three main vegetation types, viz.: a 

dry form of Mountain Fynbos on the upper slopes, Renosterveld on the deeper soils 

of the plateau, and Upland Succulent Karoo on the lower hills. 

The latest South African vegetation map (Mucina & Rutherford 2003) identifies five 

distinct vegetation types within the area, adding something that they call Blomveld 

(literally “flower veld”), along with a division of the Upland Succulent Karoo into two 

distinct units that are difficult (but not impossible) to distinguish (Namaqualand 

Klipkoppe Shrubland and Kamiesberg Mountain Shrubland). We regard these five 

vegetation types as being an acceptable and relatively accurate broad scale 

description of the vegetation types in the area, and Table 3 has been included as a 

guide to the synonyms for the different vegetation types referred to by different 

authors. The names used by Mucina & Rutherford (2003) will be used throughout 

this report. A full description of these vegetation types will be found in the publication 

accompanying the new SA vegetation map, and is thus not repeated here in any 

detail, as the main focus of this study was the endemic flora. Fieldwork for the 

current study allowed a fine-tuning of the SA vegetation map, and the results are 

presented in this report. 


Table 3: A guide to the synonyms for the different vegetation types in the Kamiesberg 

Uplands, as referred to by different authors. 

SA Vegetation Map names Synonyms 

Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos Macchia (Acocks 1953) 

Mountain Fynbos (Low & Rebelo 1996) 

Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld Mountain Renosterbosveld & Namaqualand Broken 

Veld (Acocks 1953) 

North-western Mountain Renosterveld & Upland 

Succulent Karoo (Low & Rebelo 1996) 

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Namaqualand Broken Veld (Acocks 1953) Upland 

Succulent Karoo (Low & Rebelo 1996) 

Namaqualand Blomveld Namaqualand Broken Veld (Acocks 1953); Upland 

Succulent Karoo (Low & Rebelo 1996); 

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Flats (SKEP) 

Kamiesberg Mountain Shrubland Namaqualand Broken Veld & Mountain 

Renosterbosveld (Acocks 1953) 

Upland Succulent Karoo & North-western Mountain 

Renosterveld (Low & Rebelo 1996) 

Figure 9: (Following page): The vegetation of the Kamiesberg Municipality as mapped 

for this project. 



Figure 10: (Previous page): The modelled distribution of Kamiesberg fynbos, 

renosterveld and shrubland vegetation types in the Kamiesberg. 

4.1 Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos 

This is the only vegetation type restricted to the Kamiesberg Uplands, and it should 

thus be a key element of any conservation strategy for the area. This vegetation type 

supports the highest number of endemic plant species in the KBC, with at least 29 

endemics (or near endemics) wholly restricted to or found primarily in this vegetation 

type (see Appendix 1). 

The Fynbos vegetation is very seldom found below 1200m, and only in the vicinity of 

the Rooiberg peak are there fairly extensive Fynbos patches below 1200m. Due to 

the bulk of the Rooiberg (the so-called “mass-effect”), and its position as the most 

south-westerly high peak, without significant peaks between it and the sea, it attracts 

more cloud and moisture than elsewhere, and is also cooler, all factors which 

contribute to the lower Fynbos boundary in this area. The lower boundary 

occasionally extends as far down as 1000m, especially on the eastern and south- 

eastern side of Rooiberg (upper Langkloof area). In the drier eastern fringes of the 

Kamiesberg the Fynbos is restricted to the few summit ridges above 1300m. 

Within this vegetation type are also very small pockets of Afromontane (or Southern 

Afrotemperate) Forest, that are usually too small to map. These occur only in the 

most fire protected situations, where there are also elevated moisture levels. The 

forest patches are always small (< 1ha), and are usually dominated by Olea 

europaea ssp. africana (wild olive), Kiggelaria africana (wild peach), and Maytenus 

oleoides (kliphout). 


Plate 1:View of mature Fynbos vegetation on Sneeukop showing abundant restioid 

cover. 

As for “normal” Fynbos areas much further south, the characteristic elements are 

Proteaceae (protea family; 2 species, both endemic)), Ericaceae (heaths; 9 species, 

no endemics), and Restionaceae (Cape reeds; approx. 6 species, 1 endemic). The 

former occur only in this vegetation type in the Kamiesberg, whilst the latter are also 

present (but seldom significant;

Plate 2: Protea namaquana (skaamroos; Proteaceae) is the only Protea found in the 

Kamiesberg, and is endemic to Fynbos areas on Rooiberg and Eselkop. This striking 

plant is Red Data Book listed as Critically Endangered. 

4.2 Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld 

This vegetation type is well represented on the upper plateaus of the Kamiesberg (at 

1000 – 1300m), but is also found elsewhere in Namaqualand, mainly on the western 

escarpment from Skilpad (Namaqua National Park) north to Steinkopf. Renosterveld 

is typically found on the flat, deeper soils of the plateaus (see Plate 3), and has thus 

been heavily transformed by agriculture, primarily by ploughing for cereals and the 

planting of grazing. Over 20% of the Renosterveld on the Kamiesberg has been 

transformed, although the NSBA figures for the vegetation type as a whole indicate 

that only 5% has been lost throughout the greater Namaqualand region (Rouget et al 

2004). The currently mapped extent of renosterveld is substantially smaller than 

previously thought and transformation is much more accurately mapped than 

previously. This vegetation type is thus undoubtedly the most heavily impacted 

vegetation type in the Kamiesberg, and is the one of greatest conservation concern. 

This vegetation type supports the second highest number of endemic plant species in 

the KBC, with at least 21 endemics wholly restricted to or found primarily in this 

vegetation type (see Appendix 1). 


Plate 3: View of mature Renosterveld near Rooiberg, with agricultural lands visible in 

background. The grey shrub is Elytropappus rhinocerotis (renosterbos), the yellow is 

Oedera genistifolia (gombos), and the tall green is Dodonaea angustifolia (ysterhout). 

Renosterveld here, as elsewhere, supports a significant diversity of geophytes, 

especially evident in recently burnt veld. At least nine of the endemic species are 

bulbs that are found primarily or wholly within Renosterveld habitats. 

As this is a valley bottom habitat it also incorporates significant seasonal wetlands 

and floodplains, a habitat to which at least three of the endemic species (Moraea 

pendula, Moraea rivulicola, Crocosmia fucata) are restricted. The wetlands are 

heavily utilised by stock (see Plate 4), and in many cases have been extensively 

converted to or encroached upon by croplands, and are severely trampled and 

overgrazed, with resultant loss of species, but a number of relatively intact systems 

still exist. All wetlands should have a very high conservation value, as they are 

important ecological corridors and gradients, and are likely to be key habitats in the 

survival of many small animals, birds, and insects in the Kamiesberg. A number of 

endemic insects are known from wetlands in the Kamiesberg (J.Colville – pers. 

comm.). 


Plate 4: Spring view of the north slopes of Rooiberg (with Fynbos), with Renosterveld 

on the plateau (grey lower slopes). Colourful spring annuals dominate the previously 

ploughed areas, and a small seasonal stream is an important habitat for numerous 

species. 

4.3 Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland & Kamiesberg Mountain Shrubland 

These two vegetation types are structurally very similar, and also share a lot of 

species. Typically Kamiesberg Mountain Shrubland occurs at higher elevations (900 

– 1300m) than Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland (25) of endemic species occur primarily or wholly 

within these two vegetation types (see Appendix 1), but as noted, this may be partly 

a function of insufficient habitat or locality information, and also partly a function of 

the physical extent of these two vegetation types, which cover very large areas in 

Namaqualand. 


Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland fades into various forms of Succulent Karoo at 

lower elevations, and on the dry eastern fringes of the Kamiesberg (at the relatively 

high altitude of 1000m) changes into Platbakkies Succulent Shrubland (and 

Blomveld). This latter vegetation type supports at least five endemic succulents 

(Lithops and Conophytum species) and two endemic geophytes which are listed in 

Appendix 1 as near endemics, but their ranges are perhaps best regarded as being 

outside the true Kamiesberg Uplands. 

In all situations the Shrubland vegetation occurs in rocky areas, with relatively 

shallow soils. In areas where deeper soils are found it changes to Renosterveld 

(above about 1000m, and where there is enough moisture), or to Blomveld (in drier 

situations, or below about 1000m). Typical species in the Shrubland vegetation 

include Rhus undulata (taaibos), Rhus horrida, Lebeckia sericea (fluitjiesbos), Didelta 

spinosa (perdebos), Pteronia incana (asbos), Pentzia incana (ankerkaroo), 

Euphorbia mauritanica (melkbos), Zygophyllum morgsana (slaaibos), Cotyledon 

cuneata and C. orbiculata (plakkies), and Ruschia spp. Ozoroa dispar (resin tree) 

and Aloe dichotoma (kokerboom) are useful indicators of Klipkoppe Shrubland, and 

seldom occur in Kamiesberg Shrubland. Elytropappus rhinocerotis (renosterbos) 

may be present in Kamiesberg Shrubland, but is never dominant, and is not present 

in Klipkoppe Shrubland. 

5 DISTRIBUTION OF ENDEMIC SPECIES 

The endemic species are not randomly distributed in the landscape, and distinct 

patterns can be observed when their known distributions are plotted. It should be 

noted that that the absence of a record of a certain species for an area does not 

necessarily mean that it is not there. Many species are highly seasonal (eg. the 

geophytes), and are consequently very easy to miss during random, irregular 

surveys. Veld age also has a dramatic effect on species composition and abundance, 

and species common in 3 year old veld may be very rare in fifteen year old veld, or 

vice versa. 

Figure 11 (following page): Location of sample plots and extent of focal vegetation 

types as mapped in the field on 1:50 000 topographical maps. 



5.1 Peaks 

Fynbos endemics are most common on peaks of over 1300m, and the highest 

ground around Rooiberg peak (1706m) is particularly important. Well over 80% of 

the Fynbos endemics are known to occur within the Rooiberg/Blouberg/Welkom/ 

Karas/Stalberg area, at elevations of over 1200m. 

Plate 5: View from the top of Rooiberg Peak (1706m) to the south, with Stalberg visible 

on the left. 

The Rooiberg area supports no less than nine Kamiesberg endemic species which 

have not been recorded elsewhere, plus a further species which was discovered 

during the course of fieldwork for this study and may prove to be an undescribed 

species (Geissorhiza sp. aff. aspera). The nine species include Cheiridopsis sp.nov., 

Disa macrostachya, Centella tridentata spp. dregeana, Cyphia sp.nov., Felicia diffusa 

ssp. khamiesbergensis, Amphithalea obtusiloba, Moraea kamisensis, Romulea 

neglecta, and Watsonia rourkei. The area also supports a further six species which 

are known only from here and one other locality (noted in parentheses), including 

Oedera conferta (Sneeukop), Moraea longiflora (Leliefontein area), Moraea 


kamiesmontana (Sors Sors area east of Sneeukop), Romulea rupestris 

(Richtersveld), Protea namaquana (Eselkop), and Phylica retrorsa (Eselkop). The 

greater Rooiberg area (including Stalberg) is thus clearly a remarkably important 

focus for rare endemic species in the Kamiesberg Uplands, which is not surprising 

given that it is one of the two largest areas above 1400m. 

Eselkop, the second highest peak, is not known to harbour any endemic species not 

found elsewhere, but it does support one of only two populations of the Critically 

Endangered Protea namaquana (see Plate 2), although this population has been 

severely impacted by too frequent fires in the last twenty years (Rebelo et al – In 

prep.). It also supports one of only two known populations of Pentaschistis lima 

(Poaceae), the other on Leliefontein se Berg. 

Sneeukop (1588m) is the third highest peak in the area, and is the only known home 

of at least three species - Xenoscapa uliginosa, Hesperantha minima, and Crocosmia 

fucata, which are restricted to the east slopes, the latter along a seasonal stream. 

The area also supports a further two species which are known only from here and 

one other locality (noted in parentheses), viz. Oedera conferta (Rooiberg), and 

Moraea kamiesmontana (Rooiberg area). 

Other important peaks which all support significant populations of at least some 

Fynbos endemics include (see Figure 2; from N – S, with elevations indicated) 

Osplaat se Berg (1450m), Anegas Rooiberg (1395m), Swarklaasriet se Berg 

(1375m), Grasberg (1364m), Horinggatkop (1461m), Kamiesberg (1527m), Johannes 

se Berg (1550m), Sittensberg (1552m), Weeskind (1440m), Josef se Kop (1253m), 

and Suurberg (1276m). 

Although it was not visited during this study, and although there are no previous 

collections known to be definitely from this peak, the modelling done suggests that 

Vyemond se Berg (1291m, 6km NE of Karkams) will also support significant Fynbos 

elements, as it is high enough, and further west than any other peaks of this height. 

5.2 Renosterveld Flats 

Given that this habitat has been heavily transformed by agriculture in the Kamiesberg 

it is likely that species endemic to this habitat have lost significant portions of their 

populations, and are thus probably threatened. 


The most important areas of Renosterveld identified during this survey (and there are 

likely to be others not surveyed) were (see Figure 10; quarter degree grid reference 

in parentheses) Groot Tuin to De Kuilen and Bovlei area (3018AA), north of 

Leliefontein near Langvlei (3018AC), west of Leliefontein along escarpment edge 

(3018AC), south of Leliefontein to Naras and Vissersplaat (3018AC), east of 

Sittensberg near Natpad (3018AC), Boplaas area southeast of Weeskind peak to 

Platberg and Botuin area south of Eselkop (3018AC), Jakkalshok and Damsland 

area north of Rooiberg (3018AC), a large area from Die Kruis in the north, to 

Rondefontein in the south, Swartmatjie in the east, and Welkom in the west 

(3018AC), and an outlier in the southeast around Grasberg (3018AD). 

Plate 6: Moraea longiflora (Iridaceae) is a rare Kamiesberg endemic largely restricted to 

Renosterveld areas. Each flower is open for only a single day. 

6 IMPORTANT HABITATS 

As previously noted, wetlands and seepage areas are key habitats, especially in a 

semi-arid area of summer drought. The Kamiesberg is blessed with a large number 

of seasonal wetlands and streams, and a subjective analysis of some of the most 

important ones is presented graphically in Figure 12. It should be noted that 


wetlands and streams identified are not necessarily the most important, or the only 

important ones, but are merely those that were studied or observed, and were found 

to be of significant ecological value and interest. 

One of the most important features of an intact wetland system is its ability to absorb 

rainfall, store it, and release it slowly (the so-called “sponge effect”). This is a 

valuable feature in a semi-arid area, as it allows seasonal streams to carry water for 

longer periods. Overgrazed or too-frequently burnt wetlands will not perform this 

function nearly as efficiently, and will also be more likely to erode, with loss of 

valuable topsoil. Some of the wetlands in the Kamiesberg are very heavily grazed 

and trampled, and/or burnt too regularly, and are consequently not in good condition, 

whilst others are in almost pristine condition. Those closest to farmsteads, ploughed 

lands, and stock kraals tend to be in poor condition, whilst the remoter ones tend to 

be in better condition. The importance of the wetlands in the Kamiesberg Uplands 

needs to be emphasised in terms of its role in supplying water for a large proportion 

of the rural community living in the surrounding lowlands. 

Plate 7: View of seasonal wetland in early summer, east of Sneeukop, on Renosterveld 

plateau. This area is heavily grazed and is dominated by a large sedge (“matjies”). 

Figure 12 (following page): The distribution of important wetlands and riparian areas 

within the Kamiesberg, and a classification of their conservation priority based on the 

degree to which they are transformed through cropping. 



One of the important habitats in the Kamiesberg is also a form of wetland, but on a 

very small scale. The extensive granite domes have numerous cracks and drainage 

lines, and these typically channel runoff and create tiny, highly seasonal wetlands. 

The soil in these areas is very thin (

soils these areas have escaped the plough, but they tend to be heavily grazed and 

trampled. 

7 DISCOVERIES 

During the course of this study at least three species were recorded which had not 

been previously recorded from Namaqualand. These species are Metalasia 

fastigiata (on Stalberg and Grasberg), Buddleja salviifolia (on Weeskind and 

Sneeukop), and Moraea tripetala (on Stalberg). Voucher specimens have been 

deposited at Compton Herbarium, Kirstenbosch. 

In addition, five possible new species were discovered during the course of fieldwork. 

All superficially resemble other, described species, but further study has shown them 

to be distinct, and all are currently still undescribed. Table 4 lists the new species, 

the family to which they belong, and their known distribution. 

Table 4: The list of new and possible new species discovered or recognised during this 

project. 

Taxon Family Known Range 

1 Antimima sp. (cf. hallii) Mesembryanthemaceae Most peaks over 1250m 

2 Antimima sp. (cf. persistens) Mesembryanthemaceae Most peaks over 1250m 

3 Cyphia (aff. longipetala) Campanulaceae Rooiberg, Stalberg 

4 Geissorhiza (aff. aspera) Iridaceae Stalberg 

5 Ruschia (cf. dichroa) Mesembryanthemaceae Most peaks over 1250m 

6 Cheiridopsis sp. nov. Mesembryanthemaceae Welkom farm 

A further new species (Cheiridopsis sp. nov.) was not found during this survey, but is 

certainly new, and is still only known from a single, very vulnerable population near 

Welkom farm (S. Hammer – pers. comm.). 

The fieldwork also resulted in the re-discovery of a number of very rare species, 

some of which were known only from a single, original type collection. Voucher 

material for all these species has been deposited in the Compton Herbarium, 

Kirstenbosch. 

A significant new population of Disa macrostachya (Orchidaceae) was discovered by 

the entomologist J. Colville on Rooiberg peak, bringing the total known population to 


about 80 plants. Felicia diffusa ssp. khamiesbergensis (Asteraceae) was found on 

Stalberg, the first collection since its discovery in probably the same area some forty 

years ago. Centella tridentata ssp. dregeana (Araliaceae) was also known only from 

the type collection, over a century ago, and was re-discovered on Rooiberg. Oedera 

conferta (Asteraceae) is only known from two previous collections on Sneeukop and 

Rooiberg, the most recent over thirty years ago, and a healthy population was found 

on Rooiberg. Amphithalea obtusiloba (Fabaceae) was only known from the original 

type collection fifty years ago, and a small population was relocated on Rooiberg. 

The spectacular Geissorhiza kamiesmontana (Iridaceae) was only known from three 

previous collections, and was found at a new locality on Anegas Rooiberg. 

8 RED DATA BOOK STATUS OF FLORA 

Valuable information has been gathered on the habitat, location, and numbers of 

numerous rare and threatened endemics or near endemics, and this information was 

used to assess the Red Data Book status of these species. Almost 20% of the 

endemics were unfortunately not found during fieldwork for this project, and their 

status remains poorly known, and is a future challenge. The Red Data Book status 

of endemic or near endemic taxa presented in Appendix 1 is in draft form and will be 

edited, and published in the forthcoming revision of the South African Red Data 

Book later in 2006. Categories are according to current IUCN criteria. 

Table 5 displays a breakdown of the Red Data status of the endemic and near 

endemic flora. At least 37% of this group is regarded as threatened in some way, 

with a further 23% on the Orange List, which is for species regarded as rare, but not 

currently threatened. Thus it can be said that some 60% of the endemic or near 

endemic flora is rare or threatened. Should some of the species on the Orange list 

become threatened they would immediately move onto the Red Data list. It should 

also be noted that 22.8% of the flora was not assessed in the current analysis, as 

some of these taxa are poorly known, or may be subject to analysis by other 

specialists, but it is very possible that at least some of these will also be Red Data 

listed. This would potentially push the total number of rare or threatened species in 

the Kamiesberg as high as 84, which is a significant 74% of the total endemic flora. 


Table 5: Analysis of the Red Data Book status of the Kamiesberg endemic and near 

endemic flora. 

Assessed Red Data Status Number of species Percentage of the 

Critically Endangered 4 3.5 

Endangered 11 9.6 

Vulnerable 27 23.6 

Near Threatened 1 0.8 

Data Deficient 7 6.1 

Orange List 26 22.8 

Least Concern 12 10.5 

Not Assessed 26 22.8 

endemic flora 

9 CONSERVATION STATUS AND THREATS TO THE VEGETATION OF THE 

KAMIESBERG 

There are currently no formal conservation areas anywhere within the Kamiesberg, a 

situation which has been recognised as a problem for some time (Helme 1992). In 

the light of the current study, which highlights the fact that 57 plant species are strict 

endemics, this is particularly worrying, as the only opportunity to conserve these 

species, plus a complete vegetation type (Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos), is within this 

region. There are also no current informal conservation networks in the area, such 

as Conservancies or Private Nature Reserves. A strong recommendation is thus 

made to establish a formal conservation network in the Kamiesberg Uplands, based 

on priority areas identified in this report. 

Overall less than 5% of the Kamiesberg municipal area is transformed through 

cropping and mining (Table 6). This transformation is concentrated along the coast 

(mainly mining) and in the western uplands (mainly cropping) with the coastal 

strandveld and upland renosterveld vegetation types being most impacted (Table 6). 

Unfortunately there are not data on degradation due to overgrazing or poor fire 

management, therefore, this may not be an accurate reflection of the state of 

biodiversity within the municipality. Table 6 also presents the ecosystem status for 

each vegetation types as used in the NSBA (Driver et al. 2004). Note that ecosystem 

status is calculated based on transformation relative to the total extent of vegetation 

types within the municipal area and not the global extent of respective vegetation 


types. Thus, only the ecosystem status for fynbos, renosterveld and mountain 

shrubland is an accurate reflection of the national status as these vegetation types 

are restricted to this municipality. The renosterveld in the uplands, and the coastal 

zone, are priorities for conservation action based on this analysis. 

Table 6: A summary of the extent of transformation of vegetation due to cropping and 

mining within the Kamiesberg Municipality, and the resultant ecosystem status 

classification. Upland vegetation types highlighted. 

SA Vegetation Sub-Types 

Total 

Extent 

(ha) 

% Transformed 

by Cropping 

% Transformed 

by Mining 

% Total 

Transformed 

Ecosystem 

Status 

Platbakkies Succulent Shrubland 38207 0 0 0 LT 

Bushmanland Vloere 592 0 0 0 LT 

Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld Quartz Patches 14176 0.03 0 0.03 LT 

Namaqualand Strandveld Inland 59645 6.81 0 6.81 LT 

Riethuis Quartz Vygieveld 13669 0.07 0 0.07 LT 

Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld 246717 6.71 0 6.71 LT 

Namaqualand Arid Grassland 6475 0 0 0 LT 

Namaqualand Riviere 16009 2.25 0.01 2.26 LT 

Bushmanland Arid Grassland 108120 0 0 0 LT 

West Bushmanland Klipveld 9274 0 0 0 LT 

Namaqualand Blomveld Eastern 52795 0.61 0 0.61 LT 

Arid Estuarine Salt Marshes 545 0 7.03 7.03 LT 

Namaqualand Sand Fynbos 55742 8.85 0 8.85 LT 

Namaqualand Strandveld Coastal 46900 0.88 5.3 6.18 LT 

Namaqualand Inland Duneveld 45457 3.06 0.03 3.1 LT 

Namaqualand Strandveld Coastal Odyssea 

748 0 0 0 LT 

Grassland 

Namaqualand Coastal Dune Corridors 18980 0 20.11 20.11 V 

Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld Wooleya Veld 1039 0 56.55 56.55 E 

Namaqualand Salt Pans 569 0.38 47.61 47.99 E 

Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld 27170 0 20.03 20.03 V 

Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos 6432 0.71 0 0.71 LT 

Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld 17147 20.89 0 20.89 V 

Kamiesberg Mountains Shrubland 35872 0.78 0 0.78 LT 

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Eastern 35798 0.27 0 0.27 LT 

Namaqualand Blomveld 77785 10.45 0 10.45 LT 

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Upland 145662 1.96 0 1.96 LT 

Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland 92896 1.71 0 1.71 LT 

Total 1174423 3.8 1.08 4.88 


Figure 13: The ecosystem status of SA vegetation sub-types within the Kamiesberg 

Municipality. 

Unfortunately, the ecosystem status for vegetation types does not adequately reflect 

the severe impacts on many of the Kamiesberg wetland habitats (Figure 14). The 

analysis of wetland transformation shows that high elevation wetlands in open valleys 

or plateaus are highly transformed (Figure 15). The areas most important for wetland 

conservation action are indicated in Figure 12. 


Figure 14: The overall level of transformation of wetlands and riparian areas in the 

Kamiesberg. 

Overall state of wetlands in the Kamiesberg 

Un-Transformed 

64% 

Transformed 

36% 

Figure 15: Transformation of the six different wetland broad habitat units. 

100 

80 

60 

40 

20 

0 

Flat, 

1300m 

Slope, 

1300m 

The primary pressures on Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos areas are innapropriate fire 

regimes (most often this means too frequent fires), and to a much lesser extent 

overgrazing and trampling, especially in certain wetlands. Most of this grazing and 

trampling is caused by larger stock units such as donkeys and cattle, with goats 

being a lesser problem. Trampling of sensitive moss pads and shallow soils on 

sloping granite domes is a threat to many species in this upper area, as these 

microhabitats are home to many geophytes (see Plate 8). Alien invasive plants are 

not a significant feature of this vegetation type. 


The primary pressures on Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld are agricultural 

transformation (ploughing), and heavy grazing and trampling. Valley bottoms, deep 

soil plateaus, and Renosterveld wetlands are particulary heavily transformed (>60% 

lost), and are vulnerable to further transformation. A very rare habitat is where 

ferricrete comes close to the surface of Renosterveld plateaus (such as near 

Karas/Welkom), and this tends to support numerous rare species, perhaps 

responding to the different mineralogy. Flats, shallow soils over granites can also be 

very interesting, and are perhaps at their best on Boplaas farm, just southeast of 

Weeskind Peak. Numerous special species are threatened as a result of agricultural 

transformation of the Renosterveld plateau. 

Shrubland habitats tend to be much more widespread and are thus less of an 

immediate conservation priority. These habitats are typically very rocky, and are thus 

not subject to transformation, but where there are deeper soils ploughing has had a 

significant impact on habitat loss. Very few special species are known to be solely 

associated with this habitat. 

Blomveld occurs in more arid areas, but because it is usually on level, sandy soils it 

has been transformed by agriculture to a moderate degree. Grazing and trampling 

effects are often more significant in this habitat, which is not particularly well 

represented within the study area. Particularly on its eastern edge (Bushmanland 

border) it supports a number of interesting geophytic and succulent endemics, but 

these areas are so arid that there has been little agricultural transformation. 

10 SPATIAL PRIORITIES FOR CONSERVATION ACTION 

Most of the rare or threatened endemic plant species in the Kamiesberg Uplands are 

found on the higher peaks above 1300m, and in the Renosterveld and associated 

wetlands on the plateau at 900-1200m, and these should thus be the focus of 

conservation efforts in the region. Not only do these areas support the special plant 

species, but they are home to a wide diversity of other plant and animal groups, 

including rare and endemic reptiles and invertebrates (see report by J.Colville). The 

wetlands of the higer peaks are critical water sources and sponges for the lowlands, 

and are generally in much better condition than the wetlands on the Renosterveld 

flats. 


Plateau wetlands should be rehabilitated where possible (by leaving buffers of at 

least 30m each side of all seasonal and permanent wetlands), allowing the natural 

vegetation to slowly return. In many cases ploughing has taken place right up to the 

edge of streams, and often right through seasonal wetlands, with resultant erosion 

after heavy rains. Wetlands should not be deliberately burnt, although if they burn as 

part of a much larger wildfire that should not be a problem. In some areas it would 

be best to fence off all wetlands and 30m buffers, so that these areas are not 

trampled and grazed by stock while in the process of rehabilitation. 

The most important areas of Renosterveld identified during this survey (and there are 

likely to be others not surveyed) were (see Figure 10; quarter degree grid reference 

in parentheses) Groot Tuin to De Kuilen and Bovlei area (3018AA), north of 

Leliefontein near Langvlei (3018AC), west of Leliefontein along escarpment edge 

(3018AC), south of Leliefontein to Naras and Vissersplaat (3018AC), east of 

Sittensberg near Natpad (3018AC), Boplaas area southeast of Weeskind peak to 

Platberg and Botuin area south of Eselkop (3018AC), Jakkalshok and Damsland 

area north of Rooiberg (3018AC), a large area from Die Kruis in the north, to 

Rondefontein in the south, Swartmatjie in the east, and Welkom in the west 

(3018AC), and an outlier in the southeast around Grasberg (3018AD). 

The Renosterveld around Karas (Welkom farm) seems to be specially rich in 

localised species, including a number of undescribed species. The sandy flats, and 

the tiny patches of shallow ferricrete some 500m northeast and southeast of the 

farmhouse are especially important, and are currently heavily grazed and degraded. 

Fynbos endemics are most common on peaks of over 1300m, and the highest 

ground around Rooiberg peak (1706m) is particularly important. Well over 80% of 

the Fynbos endemics are known to occur within the Rooiberg/Blouberg/Welkom/ 

Karas/Stalberg area, at elevations of over 1200m, and this area is thus the major 

Fynbos priority in the Kamiesberg. This area extends east across the top of the 

Langkloof to the vicinity of Rondefontein, where there are also extensive 

Renosterveld patches and some important Afromontane forest patches. The 

extensive wetlands of the Rooiberg massif are perhaps the priority Fynbos wetland 

system in the uplands. 

Eselkop, the second highest peak, is not known to harbour any endemic species not 

found elsewhere, but it does support one of only two populations of the Critically 


Endangered Protea namaquana (see Plate 2), although this population has been 

severely impacted by too frequent fires in the last twenty years (Rebelo et al – In 

prep.). It also supports one of only two known populations of Pentaschistis lima 

(Poaceae), the other on Leliefontein se Berg. 

Sneeukop (1588m) is the third highest peak in the area, and is the only known home 

of at least three species - Xenoscapa uliginosa, Hesperantha minima, and Crocosmia 

fucata, which are restricted to the east slopes, the latter along a seasonal stream. 

The area also supports a further two species which are known only from here and 

one other locality (noted in parentheses), viz. Oedera conferta (Rooiberg), and 

Moraea kamiesmontana (Rooiberg area). Fynbos in this area is very old (>50yrs) 

and is in need of a fire, as it is becoming woody and senescent, with reduced 

diversity. 

Other important peaks which all support significant populations of at least some 

Fynbos endemics include (see Figure 2; from N – S, with elevations indicated) 

Osplaat se Berg (1450m), Anegas Rooiberg (1395m), Swarklaasriet se Berg 

(1375m), Grasberg (1364m), Horinggatkop (1461m), Kamiesberg (1527m), Johannes 

se Berg (1550m), Sittensberg (1552m), Weeskind (1440m), Josef se Kop (1253m), 

and Suurberg (1276m). 

Although it was not visited during this study, and although there are no previous 

collections known to be definitely from this peak, the modelling done suggests that 

Vyemond se Berg (1291m, 6km NE of Karkams) will also support significant Fynbos 

elements, as it is high enough, and further west than any other peaks of this height. 

11 PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE RESEARCH 

Information gaps that my hinder ecological management in the Kamiesberg Uplands 

could be addressed by some of the following suggested projects: 

• Establish long term monitoring plots and programs for selected rare and 

threatened indicator species (that are easy to identify), such as Protea 

namaquana (skaamroos), Otholobium hamatum, Lotononis polycephala, 

Moraea pendula, and Arctotis canescens. Some of the main pressures 

affecting these species respectively include fire, road construction and 

maintenance, agricultural expansion and grazing, wetland drainage or 

damming, and agricultural expansion and grazing. 


• Mapping the original extent of the wetlands on the plateau. 

• Determining the cost to farmers of returning ploughed fields to wetlands and 

natural grazing areas. 

• Investigating alternative indigenous dryland crops for use in the area, eg. 

kankerbos (Lessertia frutescens), kougoed (Sceletium sp.), rooibos 

(Aspalathus linearis), and essential oils (Pelargonium spp.). 

• Fire monitoring and collection of data to determine appropriate fire intervals 

for different habitats and areas. 


12 REFERENCES 

Adamson, R. S. 1938. Notes on the vegetation of the Kamiesberg. Botanical 

Survey Memoir 18. Dept. Agric. & Forestry. Government Printers, Pretoria. 

Dahlgren, R. 1988. Flora of Southern Africa 16 (3):6. Aspalathus. Botanical 

Research Institute, Pretoria. 

Desmet, P. and Cowling, R., 1998. The Climate of the Karoo. A Functional Approach. 

In: The Karoo. Ecological Patterns and Processes. Dean, W. and Milton, S. 

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. pp. 3-16. 

Driver, A, Maze, K, Lombard, AT, Nel, J, Rouget, M, Turpie, JK, Cowling, RM, 

Desmet, P, Goodman, P, Harris, J, Jonas, Z, Reyers, B, Sink, K and Strauss, T 

(2004) South African National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004: Summary 

Report. Pretoria, South African National Biodiversity Institute. 

Hammer, S. 1993. The genus Conophytum. Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria. 

Helme, N. 1992. The Kamiesberg. Veld & Flora. 78 (4). The Green Pages, p ii. 

Hilton Taylor, C. & A. Le Roux. 1989. Conservation status of the Fynbos and Karoo 

Biomes. In: Huntley, B. (ed.), Biotic diversity in southern Africa: concepts & 

conservation. pp 202 –223. Oxford University Press, Cape Town. 

Hilton- Taylor. 1996. Patterns and characteristics of the flora of the Succulent Karoo 

biome, Southern Africa. In: Van der Maesen, L., van der Burgt, X., and J. van 

Medenbach de Rooy (eds.). The biodiversity of African plants. Kluwer Academic 

Publishers, Dordrecht, Netherlands. 

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National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. 

Hutchinson, M F (2001) ANUSPLIN VERSION 4.2 USER GUIDE. Centre for 

Resource and Environmental Studies, The Australian National University, Canberra. 

Linder, H. P. & R. Ellis. 1990. A revision of Pentaschistis (Arundinae: Poaceae). 

Contrib. Bol. Herb. 12. University of Cape Town. 

Linder, P. 2002. Interactive identification guide to the Restionaceae. (cd). Contrib. 

Bolus Herbarium, University of Cape Town. 

Lombard, A., Hilton Taylor, C., Rebelo, A. Pressey, R. and R. Cowling. 1999. 

Reserve selection in the succulent Karoo, South Africa: coping with high 

compositional turnover. Plant Ecology 142: 35-55. 

Low, A.B. & A. Rebelo. 1996. Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland. 

Dept. Env. Affairs & Tourism. Pretoria. 

Manning, J. & P. Goldblatt. 2001. A synoptic review of Romulea in sub-Saharan 

Africa. Adansonia 23 (1) : 59 –108. 


Marloth, R. 1908. Das Kapland, insonderheit das Reich der Kapflora, das 

Waldgebiet und die Karoo, pflanzengeografisch dargestellt. Wiss. Ergebn. Deutsch. 

Tiefsee-Exped. “Waldivia”, 1898-1899. Bd. 2 T. 3. Fisher, Jena. 

Mucina, L. and M. Rutherford (eds.). 2003. Vegetation map of South Africa, 

Lesotho, and Swaziland. Beta version 2, Dec 2003. National Botanical Institute, 

Kirstenbosch. 

Perry, P. 1994. A revision of the genus Eriospermum (Eriospermaceae). Contrib. 

Bol. Herb. 17. University of Cape Town 

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Pretoria. 

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Species Distribution Modeling. Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on 

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Bomhard, D. Raimondo, E.G.H. Oliver, J. Van der Venter, R. van der Walt, C. Von 

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13 APPENDIX 1: List of Kamiesberg Endemic and Near Endemic Seed Plants, 

with Red Data Book status 

• Where endemism or habitat is uncertain due to lack of collections this is 

indicated by a blank or question mark. 

• Preferred vegetation type listed first. Abbreviations: Sh: Shrubland (both 

Klipkoppe and Kamiesberg types); Rv: Renosterveld; Fyn: Fynbos. 

• Red Data Categories according to latest IUCN criteria. Abbreviations: DD: 

Data Deficient; LC: Least Concern; NT : Near Threatened; VU: Vulnerable; 

EN: Endangered; CR: Critically Endangered 

• Near endemic includes species with single disjunctions but where the main 

population is on the Kamiesberg, and species with total ranges that lie mostly 

in the study area but extend up to 70km outside the study area, usually in 

upland areas. 

• There are 57 True endemics; 57 Near Endemics, or unknown. 

• Species with no noted Red Data status were not assessed in this project. 

• Orange List status includes rare or range restricted species that are not 

known to be threatened in any way. 

Family Taxon Endemism Vegetation Type 

Red Data 

Status 

Acanthaceae Acanthopsis horrida 

Haemanthus amarylloides subsp. 

near endemic Shrubland/Karoo 

Amaryllidaceae polyanthus near endemic Shrubland 

Amaryllidaceae Hessea incana endemic Shrubland/Rv NT 

Amaryllidaceae Hessea stenosiphon near endemic Fynbos/Sh Orange 

Amaryllidaceae Haemanthus graniticus near endemic Shrubland/Rv EN 

Apiaceae Peucedanum kamiesbergense near endemic Fynbos Orange 

Apiaceae Peucedanum pearsonii endemic Fynbos VU 

Apocynaceae Quaqua pallens endemic Shrubland 

Apocynaceae Stapeliopsis khamiesbergensis near endemic Shrubland 

Araliaceae Centella tridentata ssp. dregeana endemic Renosterveld/Fyn EN 

Asphodelaceae Bulbinella ciliolata near endemic Shrubland LC 

Asteraceae Antithrixia flavicoma endemic Shrubland VU 

Asteraceae Arctotis canescens endemic Renosterveld CR 

Felicia diffusa ssp. 

VU 

Asteraceae 

khamiesbergensis endemic Fynbos 

Asteraceae Lopholaena longipes near endemic Shrubland/ Karoo ? DD 

Asteraceae Oedera conferta endemic Fynbos Orange 

Asteraceae Othonna divaricata ? DD 

Asteraceae Othonna retrorsa near endemic Sh/Rv/Fyn LC 

Asteraceae Pteronia pillansii near endemic Shrubland 

Brassicaceae Heliophila schulzii endemic Shrubland 

Crassulaceae Tylecodon nigricaulis endemic Shrubland/Fyn? VU 

Eriospermaceae Eriospermum multifidum near endemic Fynbos/Sh LC 

Eriospermaceae Eriospermum sabulosum endemic Shrubland VU 

Eriospermaceae Eriospermum tuberculatum endemic Shrubland VU 

Euphorbiaceae Clutia imbricata near endemic? Fynbos DD 

Fabaceae Amphithalea obtusiloba endemic Fynbos EN 

Fabaceae Argyrolobium petiolare endemic Shrubland VU 

Fabaceae Aspalathus angustifolia ssp. robusta endemic Fynbos/Sh VU 

Fabaceae Indigofera limosa ? DD 

Fabaceae Lessertia microcarpa near endemic Shrubland/Rv DD 

Fabaceae Lotononis acutiflora endemic Renosterveld EN 



Red Data 

Status 

Fabaceae Lotononis magnifica endemic Renosterveld CR 

Fabaceae Lotononis mollis near endemic Renosterveld EN 

Fabaceae Lotononis polycephala near endemic Renosterveld/Sh EN 

Fabaceae Otholobium hamatum endemic Renosterveld VU 

Geraniaceae Pelargonium hirtipetalum near endemic Shrubland 

Geraniaceae Pelargonium pubipetalum endemic Renosterveld/Sh VU 

Hyacinthaceae Lachenalia inconspicua near endemic Karoo 

Hyacinthaceae Tenicroa nana near endemic Fynbos/Sh Orange 

Iridaceae Babiana attenuata near endemic Renosterveld LC 

Iridaceae Babiana dregei endemic Sh/Rv/Fyn LC 

Babiana framesii var. 

Orange 

Iridaceae 

kamiesbergensis endemic Shrubland 

Iridaceae Crocosmia fucata endemic Renosterveld VU 

Iridaceae Ferraria kamiesbergensis near endemic Renosterveld/Sh EN 

Iridaceae Geissorhiza kamiesmontana endemic Shrubland/Rv Orange 

Iridaceae Geissorhiza namaquensis near endemic Renosterveld/ Fyn Orange 

Iridaceae Geissorhiza sp. nov. (aff. aspera) endemic Fynbos VU 

Iridaceae Gladiolus kamiesbergensis endemic Fynbos Orange 

Iridaceae Hesperantha flexuosa near endemic Sh/Rv/Fyn LC 

Iridaceae Hesperantha latifolia endemic Fynbos/Rv LC 

Iridaceae Hesperantha minima endemic Renosterveld/Sh EN 

Iridaceae Ixia latifolia var. ramulosa near endemic Shrubland/Rv 

Iridaceae Moraea fenestralis near endemic Karoo 

Iridaceae Moraea kamiesensis endemic Renosterveld EN 

Iridaceae Moraea longiflora endemic Renosterveld/Fyn VU 

Iridaceae Moraea kamiesmontana endemic Renosterveld/Fyn VU 

Iridaceae Moraea pendula endemic Renosterveld VU 

Iridaceae Moraea rivulicola near endemic Renosterveld/Fyn VU 

Iridaceae Romulea citrina near endemic Shrubland/Rv 

Iridaceae Romulea kamisensis near endemic Sh/Rv/Fyn/Karoo. LC 

Iridaceae Romulea namaquensis near endemic Renosterveld/Fyn/Sh 

Iridaceae Romulea neglecta endemic Fynbos/Rv VU 

Iridaceae Romulea pearsonii near endemic Sh/Rv/Fyn Orange 

Iridaceae Romulea rupestris near endemic Fynbos Orange 

Iridaceae Tritonia kamiesbergensis endemic Sh/Rv/Fyn VU 

Iridaceae Watsonia rourkei endemic Fynbos VU 

Iridaceae Xenoscapa uliginosa endemic Fynbos VU 

Lobeliaceae Cyphia sp.nov. (aff. longipetala) endemic Fynbos Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae Antimima sp. nov. (aff. hallii) endemic Fynbos Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae Antimima sp. nov. (aff. persistens) endemic Fynbos Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae Cheiridopsis pearsonii endemic Renosterveld VU 

Mesembryanthemaceae Cheiridopsis sp. nov. endemic Renosterveld CR 

Mesembryanthemaceae Conophytum chauviniae near endemic Shrubland/Karoo Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae Conophytum cylindratum near endemic Shrubland/Karoo 

Mesembryanthemaceae Conophytum danielii near endemic Shrubland/Karoo Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae Conophytum hanae near endemic Shrubland/Karoo Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae Conophytum khamiesbergense endemic Fynbos Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae 

Conophytum pellucidum subsp. 

cupreatum near endemic Karoo 

Mesembryanthemaceae C. pubicalyx near endemic Sh/ Karoo 

Mesembryanthemaceae Conophytum roodiae near endemic Shrubland Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae C. rugosum ssp. rugosum near endemic Shrubland/Fyn Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae C. rugosum ssp. sanguineum endemic Shrubland Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae Lithops naureeniae near endemic Shrubland/Karoo Orange 

Mesembryanthemaceae Ruschia sp. nov. (cf. dichroa) endemic Fynbos Orange 

Orchidaceae Disa macrostachya endemic Fynbos EN 



Red Data 

Status 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis albiuscula endemic Shrubland VU 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis ambigua near endemic Shrubland/Karoo 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis campylorrhiza near endemic Shrubland 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis clavifolia near endemic Shrubland/Karoo 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis comosa near endemic Shrubland/Fyn LC 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis creaseyi endemic Renosterveld? EN 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis exserta near endemic Shrubland 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis flaviuscula near endemic Shrubland 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis furcillata near endemic Shrubland 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis helicoides endemic Shrubland? 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis inconspicua near endemic Shrubland 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis kamiesbergensis endemic? Renosterveld/Sh? 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis knuthiana endemic Shrubland 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis louisae endemic Shrubland 

Oxalidaceae Oxalis virginea endemic Shrubland VU 

Poaceae Pentaschistis lima endemic Fynbos VU 

Poaceae Helictotrichon barbatum near endemic Renosterveld? VU 

Polygalaceae Muraltia rigida endemic Fynbos Orange 

Proteaceae Protea namaquana endemic Fynbos CR 

Proteaceae Vexatorella alpina endemic Fynbos LC 

Restionaceae Ischyrolepis vilis endemic Fynbos Orange 

Rhamnaceae Phylica montana near endemic Fynbos/Rv/Sh LC 

Rhamnaceae Phylica retrorsa endemic Fynbos VU 

Rhamnaceae Phylica pearsonii near endemic Shrubland Orange 

Rutaceae Agathosma namaquensis endemic Fynbos Orange 

Scrophulariaceae Dischisma clandestinum near endemic Shrubland/Karoo DD 

Scrophulariaceae Hebenstretia kamiesbergensis endemic Fynbos VU 

Scrophulariaceae Oftia revoluta near endemic Shrubland/Fyn LC 

Scrophulariaceae Selago ferrago ? Renosterveld/Sh? DD

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