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APOCYNACEAE

Adenium boehmianum SchinzStatus: EN DVery distinctive-looking plant. Apparently known fromonly a single Botswana field observation in the hills ofKuke Ghanzi; no herbarium records for this species.Known only from a few individuals. There are varyingreports that the species in Botswana may possiblyrepresent a new taxonomic entity. It is known mainlyfrom Namibia where herbarium records exist for it.

Adenium oleifolium StapfStatus: VU B1B2ceThreats: Harvesting, collectionSought after by collectors and used as a medicinalplant. Ointment made from the plant is used for snakeand scorpion bites, and a root extract is used for tonicsand treating fevers. Rare and definitely requiresprotection. Is also found in the San Kalahari andNamibia. It has a massive turnip-shaped tuber with atuft of aerial succulent stems and leaves. Spectaculartubular pink flowers.

ASCLEPIADACEAE

Hoodia lugardi N.E.Br.Status: VU A1deThreats: Harvesting, collectionThis species has been subsumed as H. currorii, but thisname is not in use in Botswana. In Botswana, thedistribution of this taxon is an east–west belt spanning600 km. Found in the Kglagadi Game Reserve. Severallocalities have been lost due to diamond mining. Thisplant also has ethnomedicinal value, and has been thesubject of intense bioprospecting for the commercialmarket. Several localities have been extirpated due tothe activity of a snout beetle pest. Found in SouthAfrica, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere.

Huernia levyi Oberm.Status: VU D2Found in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia (from MpililaIsland in Caprivi). This species is restricted to theZambezi River drainage area and is uncommon inBotswana. The species has a narrow distribution rangeand straddles the borders of the four countries in whichit occurs. The species was collected in Botswana(Mpandamatenga), but recent surveys have not beenable to relocate it there. The species grows at the baseof Acacia; found in gravelly soil.

Orbea tapscottii (I.Verd.) L.C.LeachStatus: EN A1acThreats: Grazing, desiccation, urban expansionAlso known from South Africa. In Botswana, collectedin Pitsane Pan, but a recent survey failed to find itthere again; the area has been heavily overgrazed.Other known localities of this species (near Gaboroneand Molepolole) have been decimated due to theimpacts of donkeys and goats, as well as expandingurban centres. Often associated with Acacia hebecladasubsp. chobiensis.

Orbeopsis knobelii (E.Phillips) L.C.LeachCaralluma kalaharica-Nel

Status: VU D1D2Threats: HarvestingFirst described in Molepolole. This species is uncommonand difficult to locate in the wild. The subpopulationsare very small and disjunct in Botswana. Found onKalahari sands. Also known from South Africa, Namibia,and elsewhere. Although widespread, it is always rare.It is eaten by people and animals. Has whitish togreenish flowers with purple patches. The whole plant iseaten raw or roasted. Locally it is called ‘dadaba’. It hasa smoky flavour and is a good source of water.

EXTINCT & THREATENED

EUPHORBIACEAE

Euphorbia venteri L.C.Leach ex R.Archer &S.CarterStatus: EN C2aEndemism: Endemic?Threats: Urban expansionOnly two subpopulations recorded in Botswana from agypsum substrate. These subpopulations are extremelydisjunct (one in the north, the other in the south) andoccur close to the border of eastern Botswana. Thepossibility exists that this species occurs in Zimbabwe(Plumtree) but this cannot be established without fieldwork and taxonomic validation.

LYTHRACEAE

Nesaea minima ImmelmanStatus: VU D2Endemism: EndemicKnown only from the moist grassy area of the ZwezweFlats floodplain in Botswana.

ORCHIDACEAE

Ansellia africana Lindl.Status: VU A1adThreats: CollectionThis is the only epiphytic orchid in Botswana. Allorchids are rare in Botswana and therefore, are usuallycollector’s items amongst ecotourists. Frequentlyobserved in cultivation. Wide distribution throughoutAfrica, but certainly threatened in Botswana. Rumouredto have aphrodisiac properties.

Eulophia angolensis (Rchb.f.) Summerh.Status: VU A1adThreats: CollectionLarge, showy orchid that grows in peaty ground inperennial and seasonal swamp. In possible danger dueto collectors. Flowers from late October to December.Widespread in Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda andso forth.

Eulophia latilabris Summerh.Status: VU A1adThreats: CollectionLarge, showy orchid that grows in peaty ground inperennial and seasonal swamps. In danger due tocollectors. Flowers from late October to December.Widespread in West Tropical Africa.

PORTULACACEAE

Anacampseros rhodesiaca N.E.Br.Status: VU A1adThreats: HarvestingUncommon in Botswana as this species is at the end ofits western distribution range. It is found close to theborder near Francistown, and then extends easterly intoZimbabwe. Has a cryptic, rare habitat in Botswana;known from accessible crevices in bare rocky outcrops.It has also been collected in Tantabane (Tati). It hasshort branches covered with tiny scale-like leavesarising from the tuber. The genus Anacampseros hasbeen split into three genera, and the genus Avonia isthe relevant name for this taxon. However, this name isnot in use in Botswana. In Zimbabwe, it is known as‘quilika’ or ‘tirika’. Prohibitions were introduced toprevent the use of this species for beer-making.

SAPINDACEAE

Erythrophysa transvaalensis I.Verd.Status: VU D1D2The first and only record for Botswana was collected inShoshong in 1993. Known from the former westernTransvaal (South Africa) where it is considered rare.Also known from Zimbabwe (possibly Matopos). Thehabitat of this species is rocky wooded hills, of whichthere are few in Botswana.

EXTINCT & THREATENED

Hoodia sp. from the Kalahari sands of southern Botswana.

(Photo: NBI)

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ACANTHACEAE

Barleria matopensis S.MooreStatus: LR-lcNo herbarium record of it being collected in Botswana,and also not in PRECIS. However, observed in the wildin Botswana. The distribution of this species inBotswana represents a small proportion of the globalpopulation. Known mainly from an area betweenFrancistown and Ramokgwebana. Probably firstcollected in Matopos in Zimbabwe. Also known from theformer Transvaal (South Africa).

Blepharis bainesii S.Moore ex C.B.ClarkeStatus: LR-lcKnown from gypsum substrate in southeasternBotswana. Reported to have been observed severaltimes in the vicinity of Matloutsi(e). Also known fromsouthwestern Zimbabwe. However, not found in theformer Transvaal area of South Africa. Possibly noherbarium specimens for Botswana. Limited globaldistribution.

CAPPARACEAE

Boscia foetida Schinz subsp. minima ToelkenStatus: LR-ntThreats: GrazingThe varietal status of this species represents plantsshorter than 30 cm that are cushion-like. It is suspectedthat this dwarf form could be a growth form as a resultof overgrazing. It may be rare, but it is certainly notthreatened in Botswana. It is a shrub found onlimestone outcrops, often near pans or on clay soils.Also found in South Africa (Northern Cape and formerTransvaal). Apparently not recorded in Namibia.

CYPERACEAE

Pycreus okavangensis PodlechStatus: LR-lcNondescript, small plant. Widespread in northwestBotswana occuring throughout the lower delta, on theChobe River and near a pan in the Kalahari. Alsorecorded in Namibia and possibly Angola and Zambia.The species has a wide distribution range.

EUPHORBIACEAE

Jatropha botswanica Radcl.-Sm.Status: LR-lcEndemism: EndemicAccording to PRECIS, known only from Botswana. Thisspecies is fairly well protected since it occurs on blackclay which is unarable and generally avoided bydevelopments or human settlements. Currently knownonly from two localities, and this is probably due tocollecting efforts.

FABACEAE

Acacia hebeclada DC subsp. chobiensis (O.B.Mill.)A.Schreib.Status: LR-ntMulti-stemmed tree-shrub. Found in riverbanks orsandbanks close to the northern border of Botswana butonly for a limited distance downstream. The species issafe where it occurs, but its numbers and the size of itshabitats are exceedingly small when compared to otherplants from Botswana. It occupies a niche on anunstable landform (riverbanks/sandbanks). It is verysensitive to unnatural water level fluctuations. Found inAngola, Namibia and Zambia.

LOWER RISK

PEDALIACEAE

Harpagophytum procumbens (Burch.) DC. exMeisn.Status: LR-ntNo subspecies or varieties of this species is in use inBotswana. High-value export product for its medicinalproperties. More valued than H. zeyheri since the activeingredient is more concentrated. Could becomethreatened due to reckless harvesting which is alreadyreported to be taking place (the main tuber is removedrather than the side tubers). However, high levels ofrecruitment. Found mainly on the Kalahari sands ofwestern Botswana.

Harpagophytum zeyheri Decne.Status: LR-ntNo subspecies or varieties of this species is in use inBotswana. High-value export product for its medicinalproperties. Far more accessible than H. procumbenssince it is fairly common along the roadsides of easternBotswana. High levels of recruitment.

LOWER RISK

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Acacia hebeclada subsp. chobiensis in habitat in the Okavango

Delta. (Photo: M.P. Setshogo)

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AIZOACEAE

Nananthus aloides (Haw.) SchwantesStatus: DDEndemism: Endemic?Known from border area of the Nossob River. Theherbarium descriptions of the distribution of thisspecies are unclear, and therefore it cannot beconfirmed if the species also occurs in Namibia andSouth Africa.

Nananthus margaritiferus L.BolusStatus: DDNo herbarium records exist for this species in Botswana.Also known from Namibia where it is legally protected.

ASCLEPIADACEAE

Ceropegia floribunda N.E.Br.Status: DDEndemism: Endemic?According to PRECIS, endemic to Botswana. The typelocality is Khwebe Hills. Suspected to also occur inNamibia but this has not been confirmed. May possiblyoccur in South Africa, but again, this cannot beconfirmed. Taxonomically, this species is poorly known.

ASTERACEAE

Arctotis rogersii S.MooreStatus: DDCould be endemic to Botswana, but may be a synonymor may occur further north. Reported that this may be agarden hybrid which occurs in the Cape (South Africa)but this cannot be confirmed. The taxonomic status ofthis species is uncertain.

Arctotis serpens S.MooreStatus: DDCould be endemic to Botswana, but may be a synonymor may occur further north. Reported that this may be agarden hybrid which occurs in the Cape (South Africa)but this cannot be confirmed. The taxonomic status ofthis species is uncertain.

Erlangea remifolia Wild & G.V.PopeStatus: DDEndemism: Endemic?According to PRECIS, endemic to Botswana. Based onthe number of herbarium collections, is reported to becommon. However, this could well be an artefact sincethe collections could perhaps have been mistakenlyidentified as E. misera, a common species in Botswana.

Rennera laxa (Bremek. & Oberm.) KallersjoStatus: DDEndemism: Endemic?According to PRECIS, known only from Botswana.

CYPERACEAE

Eleocharis cubangensis H.E.HessStatus: DDEndemic to the Okavango River, and currently knownonly from Namibia and Botswana.

ERIOSPERMACEAE

Eriospermum linearifolium BakerStatus: DDEndemism: EndemicCould be endemic to Botswana, but may be a synonymor may occur further north. Recorded from the Okavango

DATA DEFICIENTand Chobe area. Not known from Namibia.

Eriospermum seineri Engl. & K.KrauseStatus: DDEndemism: EndemicNot recorded in Namibia. Suspected to be endemic toBotswana, but may be a synonym or may occur furthernorth.

FABACEAE

Acacia hebeclada DC. subsp. tristis A.Schreib.Status: DDHas down-turned pods, and a small proportion of theglobal population is distributed in Botswana. It isfound in the northwestern corner of Botswana. Mostly,it is known from Namibia and a few plants extend intoBotswana in the fossil river valleys. This area isextremely well-protected and inaccessible. This area hasalso been relatively unexplored by botanists.

ORCHIDACEAE

Habenaria pasmithii G.Will.Status: DDIn Botswana, it is known only from the Okavango (typelocality). Known from a second collection in Mwinilunga(Zambia). Apparently known only from these disjunctlocalities. Probably a case of being undercollected ormisidentifications of other taxa found between thesetwo localities (possibility of a uniform distribution?).In water meadows and slow-flowing water.

Zeuxine africana Rchb.f.Status: DDExtremely rare in southern Africa, but widespread acrossAfrica. In Botswana, known only from the MoremiNature Reserve, as well as other localities in the northof Botswana such as Xobega Lediba. Flowers in July toAugust.

POACEAE

Aristida wildii MelderisStatus: DDEndemism: Endemic?Could be endemic to Botswana, but may be a synonymor may occur further north (unlikely to occur in theCaprivi). Found in areas of Botswana that are generallyrocky.

Panicum coloratum L.Mant. var. makarikarienseGooss.Panicum laevifolium-Hack. var. contractum Pilg.

Panicum coloratum-L.Mant. var. coloratum

Status: DDEndemism: EndemicThe variety is regarded by some as being taxonomically

invalid. Localities of this plant beyond Botswana areinstances where the species was introduced. InBotswana, it is known from the north (Makarikari Pan)and the southeast (Gaborone). It is used as a pasturegrass.

Panicum gilvum LaunertStatus: DDAlso known from Namibia and South Africa. InBotswana, it is known from the north in seasonal waterpans. Probably undercollected and widespread.

Panicum pilgerianum (Schweick.) ClaytonPsilochloa pilgeriana-(Schweick.) Launert

Status: DDIn Botswana, it is known from the north (SamedupeBridge) and the southeast (Content Farm). It is alsofound in Namibia, in seasonally flooded areas, growingin water. Altitude of about 1,050 m. Probablyundercollected and widespread.

Sporobolus bechuanicus Gooss.Status: DDEndemism: EndemicAccording to PRECIS, known from fewer than fivecollections and occuring only in Botswana. However,reported to be very common in pans of Makgadigadi andLepepe. The main centre of distribution is centralBotswana.

ROSACEAE

Grielum cuneifolium SchinzStatus: DDThe type is from Lydenburg in South Africa. The speciesdoes not occur in Namibia. It has a restricted globaldistribution.

SANTALACEAE

Thesium dissitum N.E.Br.Status: DDEndemism: Endemic?According to PRECIS, known only from Botswana.

SCROPHULARIACEAE

Jamesbrittenia integerrima-(Benth.) HilliardSutera batlapina Hiern

Status: DDEndemism: Endemic?According to PRECIS, known only from Botswana.

Jamesbrittenia concinna-(Hiern.) HilliardSutera concinna Hiern

Status: DDEndemism: Endemic?According to PRECIS, known only from Botswana.

DATA DEFICIENT

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Sunset in an aquatic landscape at Chobe.

(Photo: NBI)