| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLANTAE | TRACHEOPHYTA | MAGNOLIOPSIDA | CAMPANULALES | CAMPANULACEAE |
| Scientific Name: | Wahlenbergia linifolia | |||
| Species Authority: | (Roxb.) A.DC. | |||
Common Name/s:
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| Red List Category & Criteria: | Critically Endangered B2ab(ii,iii,iv,v); C2a(i); D ver 3.1 | |||
| Year Published: | 2003 | |||
| Assessor/s: | Cairns-Wicks, R. | |||
| Reviewer/s: | Cronk, Q. & Clubbe, C. (South Atlantic Island Plants Red List Authority) | |||
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Justification: Wahlenbergia linifolia is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as the population is estimated to number less than 50 mature individuals. In addition there has been a decline observed in the number of mature individuals and the population structure is severely fragmented with three subpopulations, two at High Peak and one at Washhouse. Habitat quality is declining at all sites. At High Peak New Zealand Flax, Phormium tenax, continues to invade and at Washhouse, Solanum mauritianum and even Carex dianae out compete this small subpopulation. |
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| History: |
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| Range Description: |
Wahlenbergia linifolia is endemic to St Helena. Currently it is only known from two sites: High Peak and Washhouse cliffs.
In 1997 the subpopulation at High Peak Site 1, was estimated to be 41 adults and 28 seedlings. This site was thought to be pure W. linifolia. In June 2002 the subpopulation numbered less than five adults. At High Peak Site 2, the subpopulation number was estimated to be 21 adults and 24 seedlings. This was a suspected hybrid subpopulation. In June 2002 the subpopulation was estimated as 12. Washhouse 1997, the subpopulation was estimated as possibly 12 mature plants. In June 2002 the subpopulation was estimated as six. In addition the site was more overgrown and fewer seedlings were noted. |
| Countries: |
Native:
Saint Helena
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| Range Map: | Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
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| Habitat and Ecology: | Small, shrubby, sparingly branched perennial up to 0.3 m. The plants grow on cliff sites amongst tree fern vegetation and exotic weeds. Bellflowers are also known to grow on the trunks of tree ferns, Melliss (1875) described W. linifolia as 'sometimes parasitic on the tree ferns'. |
| Systems: | Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): | The rampant spread of Flax and Fuchsia which are able to colonise ledges and gaps in the tree ferns are considered to be the principal causes for the decline of the Large Bellflower. Flax, Fuchsia Blackberry, Solanum and Grass sp. continue to cause problems at the three remaining sites, reducing the area of suitable habitat and preventing regeneration. As well as the number of individuals, the number of seedlings observed at all sites was also considerably lower that in 1997. |
| Conservation Actions: |
The Draft Recovery Action Plan for this species has set out five main objectives that will help conserve W. linifolia. These are:
1. To protect all existing subpopulations 2. To propagate individuals by cuttings from subpopulations 3. To collect seed. 4. To search for new populations 5. To establish a cultivated population at Scotland Shade house no 4 as a seed orchard. |
| Citation: | Cairns-Wicks, R. 2003. Wahlenbergia linifolia. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 May 2012. |
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