Elephantorrhiza rangei
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Elephantorrhiza rangei faces severe pressure from overgrazing by livestock, particularly cattle and goats, which prevents natural regeneration and damages existing plants. Mining activities and infrastructure development have fragmented its already limited habitat in the arid regions of southern Africa. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by increasing drought frequency and intensity, further stressing this drought-adapted but vulnerable leguminous shrub.
Habitat
This species inhabits arid and semi-arid savannas, thornveld, and rocky outcrops in southern Africa, particularly in Namibia and South Africa. It typically grows in well-drained soils on hillsides and rocky slopes where it can access deep groundwater through its extensive root system.