Hibiscus micranthus | UAE National Red List of Vascular Plants

Taxa
Hibiscus micranthus | L.f.
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
Within the UAE, it is known to be widespread throughout the Hajar Mountains (Jongbloed et al. 2003). However, it is relatively rare within the Ru'us al-Jibal (Feulner 2011). Globally, this species is native to Africa in addition to both temperate and tropical Asia (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 shrublet species is known to grow among rocks on hillsides, in wadis and on plains (Jongbloed et al. 2003, Fawzi and Ksiksi 2012, Mahmoud et al. 2018). The plant can reach up to 100 cm in height, has leaves with toothed edges and pointed tips, a spherical fruit capsule with seeds covered in white hairs, in addition to small white flowers which can be seen between January and May (Jongbloed et al. 2003). It has been recorded to be eaten by native grazers, such as gazelle and ibex, in addition to sheep (Ghazanfar and Fisher 1998, Feulner 2011, 2016).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Assessed status
Asessment status in full
Least Concern
Assessment status abreviation
LC
Assessment rationale/justification
Although this species may be affected by grazing from native species, it appears to be relatively widespread within the Hajar Mountain region of the UAE. In addition, it has also been recently recorded at Jebel Hafeet and is known to grow within the Wadi Wurayah National Park. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.
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
Grazing by a range of species may negatively impact this species within parts of its range (Ghazanfar and Fisher 1998, Feulner 2011, 2016).
Conservation Measures

Conservation measures:
Conservation measures notes:
Required conservation measures:

Scientific Name Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus
Hibiscus micranthus Plantae Tracheophyta Magnoliopsida Malvales Malvaceae Hibiscus