Heliotropium bacciferum | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Taxa
Heliotropium bacciferum | Forssk.
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
In the past, there has been confusion as to whether this species concept should also include individuals previously listed under Heliotropium kotschyi, in addition to unclear differences between the two potential species (Brown et al. 2007). In agreement with G.R. Feulner (pers. comm. 2019), here, we treat H. bacciferum as a distinct species. This species is described as occurring in the Ru'us al-Jibal, Al Ain region and offshore islands (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Feulner 2011, Sakkir et al. 2017, D. Aplin pers. comm. 2019). Feulner (2011) refers to H. bacciferum as the 'montane' species when compared to H. kotschyi, however there is agreement that both species may be found along the coast. H. bacciferum has also been recorded from Al Hamriyah (Sharjah Seedbank & Herbarium; S. Gairola pers. comm. 2019). The global range of this species spans from northwest and northeast Africa to India (Board of Trustees, RBG Kew 2019).
Habitats and Ecology
Ecological system type
Terrestrial system
No
Freshwater system
No
Marine system
No
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
This perennial shrub species has been recorded as growing within dry shrubland and montane areas, in addition to sand and gravel substrates and fields (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Böer and Saenger 2006, Fawzi and Ksiksi 2012, Patzelt 2015). It has a woody base and can reach up to 0.5 m in height, in addition to having stiff white hairs (Jongbloed et al. 2003). The leaves are dark green and a narrow lance-shape with wavy edges and pointed tips, while the white flowers are arranged in double rows on one side of a curved inflorescence spike and can be seen throughout the year (Jongbloed et al. 2003).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Incomplete
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Data Deficient
Assessment status abreviation
DD
Assessment rationale/justification
Although there is distribution data available for this species, it is difficult to definitively separate out records of Heliotropium bacciferum from those of Heliotropium kotschyi, as the two names appear to have been used somewhat interchangeably in the past. Clarification of the distinction between these species would be valuable in terms of being able to accurately assess each taxonomic entity separately within the UAE. Therefore, this species is assessed as Data Deficient.
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
There is no information available.
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Heliotropium bacciferum Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Boraginales Heliotropiaceae Heliotropium