Astroloba herrei
| Astroloba herrei | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Xanthorrhoeaceae |
| Subfamily: | Asphodeloideae |
| Genus: | Astroloba |
| Species: | A. herrei |
| Binomial name | |
| Astroloba herrei (L.) Uitewaal | |
Astroloba herrei is a small, rare succulent plant of the Astroloba genus, restricted to a small area of the Karoo, on the border between the Western and Northern Cape, South Africa. It is listed as a Vulnerable species on the IUCN global Red List.[1]
Description
Astroloba herrei is a compact Astroloba species, with stems that are densely covered in pointed succulent leaves.
With its grey-green keeled leaves in 5 rows, the species is easily mistaken for the closely related Astroloba spiralis species. However Astroloba herrei has a smooth perianth and is genetically distinct, also having fine longitudinal lines and narrowly acuminate leaf tips, that spread outwards more.[2]
Distribution
This rare species has a very small distribution, being restricted to two small populations near Uniondale in the Little Karoo and one isolated population near Prince Albert in the Great Karoo. Here it grows on rocky slopes.
All three populations are threatened by habitat destruction and illegal collecting, and the species is declared as Vulnerable.[3]
References
- ↑ D.Court: Succulent Flora of Southern Africa. CRC: 2000. p.267.
- ↑ U. Eggli: Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Monocotyledons. Springer Science & Business Media, 2001. p.187.
- ↑ http://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=2210-3