Taxon name
Desmidorchis flava
(N.E.Br.) Meve & Liede
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Desmidorchis flava
(N.E.Br.) Meve & Liede
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Plants
Flowering Plants
Species authority
(N.E.Br.) Meve & Liede
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Qualifying criteria (if given)
D
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
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.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
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.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
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).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
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).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
The species has a restricted area and is vulnerable to collection for cultivation.
History
The current situation of this species is not thought to have changed substantially since 1996.
Publication
Allen, D.J., Westrip, J.R.S., Puttick, A., Harding, K.A., Hilton-Taylor, C. and Ali, H. 2021. UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants. Technical Report. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates, Dubai.
