Desmidorchis flava | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Taxa
Desmidorchis flava | (N.E.Br.) Meve & Liede
Publication
UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants
Location
Countries in Assessment
United Arab Emirates
Country ISO code(s)
ARE
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Off
Scope (Assessment)
National
Taxon
Taxonomic Group
Plants
Taxonomic Group Level 2
Flowering Plants
Assessed taxon level
Species
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
Desmidorchis flava occurs in Wadi Farfar, Wadi Sfai and Wadi Sahm (Olive Highlands) within the Hajar Mountains (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner 2014, D. Aplin pers. comm. 2019). The estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) for this species 261 km<sup>2</sup>. It is also known from Jebel Ghaweel in Oman. Globally this species occurs in Yemen, Oman, the UAE and Qatar (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2018).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This species is a perennial succulent growing up to 30 cm (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It produces yellow flowers between February and May and grows on hillsides and in wadis (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner 2014).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Endangered
Assessment status abreviation
EN
Assessment status criteria
D
Assessment rationale/justification
This species has a fairly restricted distribution within the UAE and is considered to be rare, even within its range. The estimated EOO and of this species is 261 km<sup>2</sup> which falls within the threshold for threatened categories. Based on this restricted distribution and the possibility of collection from the wild for cultivation, in addition to the rarity of the species, the species is assessed as Endangered, with the number of mature individuals suspected to be fewer than 250. No rescue effect is likely, with the nearest populations some distance away in Oman.
About the assessment
Assessment year
2019
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Affliation of assessor(s)/contributors/reviewers listed on assessment
Government
IGO
Assessor affiliation specific
Government|IGO
Criteria system
Criteria system specifics
IUCN v3.1 + Regional Guidelines v4.0
Criteria system used
IUCN
Criteria Citation
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Endemism
Endemic to region
Not_assigned
Endemism Notes
Is an endemic?: Not_assigned
Conservation
Threats listed in assessment
The species has a restricted area and is vulnerable to collection for cultivation.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Further information
History
The current situation of this species is not thought to have changed substantially since 1996.
Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Desmidorchis flava Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Gentianales Apocynaceae Desmidorchis