List of Brassicales of South Africa

Flowering plants in the order Brassicales recorded from South Africa

The Brassicales (or Cruciales) are an order of flowering plants (anthophytes), belonging to the eurosids II group of dicotyledons under the APG II system. One character common to many members of the order is the production of glucosinolate (mustard oil) compounds. Most systems of classification have included this order, although sometimes under the name Capparales (the name chosen depending on which is thought to have priority).

The anthophytes are a grouping of plant taxa bearing flower-like reproductive structures. They were formerly thought to be a clade comprising plants bearing flower-like structures. The group contained the angiosperms - the extant flowering plants, such as roses and grasses - as well as the Gnetales and the extinct Bennettitales.

23,420 species of vascular plant have been recorded in South Africa, making it the sixth most species-rich country in the world and the most species-rich country on the African continent. Of these, 153 species are considered to be threatened. Nine biomes have been described in South Africa: Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, desert, Nama Karoo, grassland, savanna, Albany thickets, the Indian Ocean coastal belt, and forests.

The 2018 South African National Biodiversity Institute's National Biodiversity Assessment plant checklist lists 35,130 taxa in the phyla Anthocerotophyta (hornworts (6)), Anthophyta (flowering plants (33534)), Bryophyta (mosses (685)), Cycadophyta (cycads (42)), Lycopodiophyta (Lycophytes(45)), Marchantiophyta (liverworts (376)), Pinophyta (conifers (33)), and Pteridophyta (cryptogams (408)).

Six families are represented in the literature. Listed taxa include species, subspecies, varieties, and forms as recorded, some of which have subsequently been allocated to other taxa as synonyms, in which cases the accepted taxon is appended to the listing. Multiple entries under alternative names reflect taxonomic revision over time.

Brassicaceae

Family: Brassicaceae,

Alyssum

Genus Alyssum:

Alyssum minutum Schltdl. ex DC. not indigenous, naturalised

Aplanodes

Genus Aplanodes:

Aplanodes doidgeana Marais, endemic
Aplanodes sisymbrioides (Schltr.) Marais, indigenous

Arabidopsis

Genus Arabidopsis:

Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. not indigenous, naturalised

Barbarea

Genus Barbarea:

Barbarea verna (Mill.) Asch. not indigenous, naturalised

Brachycarpaea

Genus Brachycarpaea:

Brachycarpaea juncea (P.J.Bergius) Marais, accepted as Heliophila juncea (P.J.Bergius) Druce, endemic

Brassica

Genus Brassica:

Brassica elongata Ehrh. subsp, elongata, not indigenous, naturalised
Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss. not indigenous, naturalised
Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J.Koch, not indigenous, naturalised
Brassica rapa L. not indigenous, naturalised
Brassica tournefortii Gouan, not indigenous, naturalised, invasive

Camelina

Genus Camelina:

Camelina rumelica Velen. not indigenous, naturalised

Capsella

Genus Capsella:

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. not indigenous, naturalised

Cardamine

Genus Cardamine:

Cardamine africana L. indigenous
Cardamine flexuosa With. not indigenous, naturalised
Cardamine hirsuta L. not indigenous, naturalised
Cardamine impatiens L. not indigenous, naturalised
Cardamine trichocarpa Hochst. ex A.Rich. indigenous
- Cardamine trichocarpa Hochst. ex A.Rich. subsp, trichocarpa, endemic

Cardaria

Genus Cardaria:

Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. accepted as Lepidium draba L. not indigenous, naturalised

Chamira

Genus Chamira:

Chamira circaeoides (L.f.) Zahlbr. endemic

Cheiranthus

Genus Cheiranthus:

Cheiranthus linearis Thunb. accepted as Heliophila linearis DC. var, linearis, indigenous

Coronopus

Genus Coronopus:

Coronopus didymus (L.) Sm. not indigenous, naturalised
Coronopus integrifolius (DC.) Spreng. not indigenous, naturalised
Lepidium coronopus (L.) Al-Shehbaz (formerly Coronopus squamatus (Forssk.) Asch.) not indigenous, naturalised

Crambe

Genus Crambe:

Crambe hispanica L. not indigenous, naturalised

Cycloptychis

Genus Cycloptychis:

Cycloptychis marlothii O.E.Schulz, accepted as Heliophila hurkana Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. endemic
Cycloptychis virgata (Thunb.) E.Mey. ex Sond. accepted as Heliophila maraisiana Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. endemic

Descurainia

Genus Descurainia:

Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl, not indigenous, naturalised

Diplotaxis

Genus Diplotaxis:

Diplotaxis muralis (L.) DC. not indigenous, naturalised
- Diplotaxis muralis (L.) DC. subsp, muralis, not indigenous, naturalised

Eruca

Genus Eruca:

Eruca sativa Mill. not indigenous, naturalised

Erucastrum

Genus Erucastrum:

Erucastrum austroafricanum Al-Shehbaz & Warwick, indigenous
Erucastrum griquense (N.E.Br.) O.E.Schulz, indigenous
Erucastrum strigosum (Thunb.) O.E.Schulz, indigenous

Heliophila

Genus Heliophila:

Heliophila acuminata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud. endemic
Heliophila adpressa O.E.Schulz, endemic
Heliophila affinis Sond. endemic
Heliophila africana (L.) Marais, endemic
Heliophila alpina Marais, indigenous
Heliophila amplexicaulis L.f. endemic
Heliophila arenaria Sond. indigenous
- Heliophila arenaria Sond. var, acocksii Marais, endemic
- Heliophila arenaria Sond. var, agtertuinensis (O.E.Schulz) Marais, endemic
- Heliophila arenaria Sond. var, arenaria, endemic
- Heliophila arenaria Sond. var, glabrescens (O.E.Schulz) Marais, endemic
Heliophila arenosa Schltr. endemic
Heliophila brachycarpa Meisn. endemic
Heliophila brassicifolia Eckl. & Zeyh. endemic
Heliophila bulbostyla P.E.Barnes, endemic
Heliophila callosa (L.f.) DC. endemic
Heliophila carnosa (Thunb.) Steud. indigenous
Heliophila cedarbergensis Marais, endemic
Heliophila cinerea Marais, endemic
Heliophila collina O.E.Schulz, endemic
Heliophila concatenata Sond. endemic
Heliophila cornellsbergia B.J.Pienaar & Nicholas, endemic
Heliophila cornuta Sond. indigenous
- Heliophila cornuta Sond. var, cornuta, indigenous
- Heliophila cornuta Sond. var, squamata (Schltr.) Marais, indigenous
Heliophila coronopifolia L. indigenous
Heliophila crithmifolia Willd. indigenous
Heliophila cuneata Marais, endemic
Heliophila descurva Schltr. endemic
Heliophila deserticola Schltr. var, deserticola, indigenous
- Heliophila deserticola Schltr. var, micrantha A.Schreib. indigenous
Heliophila diffusa (Thunb.) DC. indigenous
- Heliophila diffusa (Thunb.) DC. var, diffusa, endemic
- Heliophila diffusa (Thunb.) DC. var, flacca (Sond.) Marais, endemic
Heliophila digitata L.f. endemic
Heliophila dregeana Sond. endemic
Heliophila elata Sond. indigenous
- Heliophila elata Sond. var, elata, endemic
- Heliophila elata Sond. var, pillansii Marais, endemic
Heliophila elongata (Thunb.) DC. endemic
Heliophila ephemera P.A.Bean, endemic
Heliophila esterhuyseniae Marais, endemic
Heliophila eximia Marais, indigenous
Heliophila filicaulis Marais, endemic
Heliophila formosa Hilliard & B.L.Burtt, indigenous
Heliophila gariepina Schltr. endemic
Heliophila glauca Burch. ex DC. endemic
Heliophila hurkana Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. endemic
Heliophila juncea (P.J.Bergius) Druce, endemic
Heliophila katbergensis Marais, endemic
Heliophila laciniata Marais, endemic
Heliophila lactea Schltr. indigenous
Heliophila latisiliqua E.Mey. ex Sond. var, latisiliqua, accepted as Heliophila thunbergii (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud. var, thunbergii, present
- Heliophila latisiliqua E.Mey. ex Sond. var, macrostylis (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Marais, accepted as Heliophila thunbergii (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud. var, macrostylis (E.Mey. ex Sond.) B.Nord. present
Heliophila leptophylla Schltr. endemic
Heliophila linearifolia Burch. ex DC. var, filifolia Sond. accepted as Heliophila coronopifolia L.
Heliophila linearis DC. endemic
- Heliophila linearis DC. var, linearifolia (Burch. ex DC.) Marais, endemic
- Heliophila linearis DC. var, linearis, endemic
- Heliophila linearis DC. var, reticulata (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Marais, endemic
Heliophila linoides Schltr. endemic
Heliophila macowaniana Schltr. endemic
Heliophila macra Schltr. endemic
Heliophila macrosperma Burch. ex DC. endemic
Heliophila maraisiana Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. endemic
Heliophila meyeri Sond. indigenous
- Heliophila meyeri Sond. var, meyeri, endemic
- Heliophila meyeri Sond. var, minor Marais, endemic
Heliophila minima (Stephens) Marais, indigenous
Heliophila monosperma Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. endemic
Heliophila namaquana Bolus, endemic
Heliophila namaquensis (Marais) Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. endemic
Heliophila nubigena Schltr. endemic
Heliophila patens Oliv. endemic
Heliophila pectinata Burch. ex DC. endemic
Heliophila pendula Willd. endemic
Heliophila pinnata L.f. endemic
Heliophila promontorii Marais, endemic
Heliophila pubescens Burch. ex Sond. endemic
Heliophila pusilla L.f. indigenous
- Heliophila pusilla L.f. var, lanceolata (Adamson) Marais, endemic
- Heliophila pusilla L.f. var, macrosperma Marais, endemic
- Heliophila pusilla L.f. var, pusilla, endemic
- Heliophila pusilla L.f. var, setacea (Schltr.) Marais, endemic
Heliophila ramosissima O.E.Schulz, endemic
Heliophila refracta Sond. endemic
Heliophila remotiflora O.E.Schulz, endemic
Heliophila rigidiuscula Sond. indigenous
Heliophila rimicola Marais, endemic
Heliophila scandens Harv. endemic
Heliophila schulzii Marais, endemic
Heliophila scoparia Burch. ex DC. indigenous
- Heliophila scoparia Burch. ex DC. var, aspera (Schltr.) Marais, endemic
- Heliophila scoparia Burch. ex DC. var, scoparia, endemic
Heliophila seselifolia Burch. ex DC. indigenous
- Heliophila seselifolia Burch. ex DC. var, marlothii (O.E.Schulz) Marais, endemic
- Heliophila seselifolia Burch. ex DC. var, nigellifolia (Schltr.) Marais, endemic
- Heliophila seselifolia Burch. ex DC. var, seselifolia, indigenous
Heliophila suavissima Burch. ex DC. indigenous
Heliophila suborbicularis Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. endemic
Heliophila subulata Burch. ex DC. endemic
Heliophila tabularis Wolley-Dod, endemic
Heliophila thunbergii (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud. indigenous
- Heliophila thunbergii (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud. var, macrostylis (E.Mey. ex Sond.) B.Nord. endemic
- Heliophila thunbergii (Eckl. & Zeyh.) Steud. var, thunbergii, endemic
Heliophila tricuspidata Schltr. endemic
Heliophila trifurca Burch. ex DC. indigenous
Heliophila tulbaghensis Schinz, endemic
Heliophila variabilis Burch. ex DC. indigenous

Hirschfeldia

Genus Hirschfeldia:

Hirschfeldia incana (L.) Lagr.-Foss. not indigenous, naturalised

Hymenolobus

Genus Hymenolobus:

Hymenolobus procumbens (L.) Nutt. in Torr. & A.Gray, not indigenous, naturalised

Lepidium

Genus Lepidium:

Lepidium africanum (Burm.f.) DC. indigenous
- Lepidium africanum (Burm.f.) DC. subsp, africanum, indigenous
- Lepidium africanum (Burm.f.) DC. subsp, divaricatum (Aiton) Jonsell, indigenous
Lepidium basuticum Marais, indigenous
Lepidium bipinnatum Thunb. endemic
Lepidium bonariense L. not indigenous, naturalised
Lepidium campestre R.Br. not indigenous, naturalised
Lepidium capense Thunb. endemic
Lepidium desertorum Eckl. & Zeyh. indigenous
Lepidium draba L. not indigenous, naturalised, invasive
Lepidium ecklonii Schrad. endemic
Lepidium flexuosum Thunb. endemic
Lepidium mossii Thell. endemic
Lepidium myriocarpum Sond. indigenous
Lepidium pinnatum Thunb. endemic
Lepidium schinzii Thell. indigenous
Lepidium schlechteri Thell. endemic
Lepidium suluense Marais, indigenous
Lepidium transvaalense Marais, indigenous
Lepidium trifurcum Sond. indigenous
Lepidium virginicum L. not indigenous, naturalised

Lobularia

Genus Lobularia:

Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv. not indigenous, naturalised

Matthiola

Genus Matthiola:

Matthiola bicornis (Sibth. & Sm.) DC. not indigenous, naturalised
Matthiola incana (L.) R.Br. not indigenous, naturalised
Matthiola torulosa (Thunb.) DC. indigenous

Nasturtium

Genus Nasturtium:

Nasturtium officinale R.Br. not indigenous, naturalised, invasive

Raphanus

Genus Raphanus:

Raphanus raphanistrum L. not indigenous, naturalised, invasive
Raphanus sativus L. not indigenous, cultivated, naturalised

Rapistrum

Genus Rapistrum:

Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All. not indigenous, naturalised, invasive

Rorippa

Genus Rorippa:

Rorippa fluviatilis (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Thell. indigenous
- Rorippa fluviatilis (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Thell. var, caledonica (Sond.) Marais, indigenous
- Rorippa fluviatilis (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Thell. var, fluviatilis, indigenous
Rorippa madagascariensis (DC.) Hara, indigenous
Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek, accepted as Nasturtium officinale R.Br. not indigenous, naturalised
Rorippa nudiuscula Thell. indigenous

Schlechteria

Genus Schlechteria:

Schlechteria capensis Bolus, accepted as Heliophila monosperma Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. endemic

Silicularia

Genus Silicularia:

Silicularia polygaloides (Schltr.) Marais, accepted as Heliophila polygaloides Schltr. endemic

Sinapis

Genus Sinapis:

Sinapis alba L. not indigenous, naturalised
Sinapis arvensis L. not indigenous, naturalised

Sisymbrium

Genus Sisymbrium:

Sisymbrium burchellii DC. indigenous
- Sisymbrium burchellii DC. var, burchellii, indigenous
Sisymbrium capense Thunb. indigenous
Sisymbrium irio L. not indigenous, naturalised
Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. not indigenous, naturalised
Sisymbrium orientale L. not indigenous, naturalised
Sisymbrium thellungii O.E.Schulz, accepted as Erucastrum austroafricanum Al-Shehbaz & Warwick, indigenous
Sisymbrium turczaninowii Sond. indigenous

Thlaspeocarpa

Genus Thlaspeocarpa:

Thlaspeocarpa capensis (Sond.) C.A.Sm. accepted as Heliophila suborbicularis Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. present
Thlaspeocarpa namaquensis Marais, accepted as Heliophila namaquensis (Marais) Al-Shehbaz & Mumm. present

Thlaspi

Genus Thlaspi:

Thlaspi arvense L. not indigenous, naturalised

Turritis

Genus Turritis:

Turritis glabra L. not indigenous, naturalised

Capparaceae

Family: Capparaceae,

Bachmannia

Genus Bachmannia:

Bachmannia woodii (Oliv.) Gilg, endemic

Boscia

Genus Boscia:

Boscia albitrunca (Burch.) Gilg & Gilg-Ben. indigenous
Boscia angustifolia A.Rich. var, corymbosa (Gilg) DeWolf, indigenous
Boscia filipes Gilg, accepted as Boscia foetida Schinz subsp, filipes (Gilg) Lotter, present
Boscia foetida Schinz, indigenous
- Boscia foetida Schinz subsp, filipes (Gilg) Lotter, indigenous
- Boscia foetida Schinz subsp, foetida, indigenous
- Boscia foetida Schinz subsp, longipedicellata (Gilg) Toelken, endemic
- Boscia foetida Schinz subsp, minima Toelken, indigenous
- Boscia foetida Schinz subsp, rehmanniana (Pestal.) Toelken, indigenous
Boscia mossambicensis Klotzsch, indigenous
Boscia oleoides (Burch. ex DC.) Toelken, endemic

Cadaba

Genus Cadaba:

Cadaba aphylla (Thunb.) Wild, indigenous
Cadaba natalensis Sond. indigenous
Cadaba termitaria N.E.Br. indigenous

Capparis

Genus Capparis:

Capparis brassii DC. indigenous
Capparis fascicularis DC. indigenous
- Capparis fascicularis DC. var, fascicularis, indigenous
- Capparis fascicularis DC. var, zeyheri (Turcz.) Toelken, endemic
Capparis sepiaria L. indigenous
- Capparis sepiaria L. var, citrifolia (Lam.) Toelken, indigenous
- Capparis sepiaria L. var, subglabra (Oliv.) DeWolf, indigenous
Capparis tomentosa Lam. indigenous

Cladostemon

Genus Cladostemon:

Cladostemon kirkii (Oliv.) Pax & Gilg, indigenous

Courbonia

Genus Courbonia:

Courbonia edulis Gilg & Gilg-Ben. accepted as Maerua edulis (Gilg & Gilg-Ben.) DeWolf, present

Maerua

Genus Maerua:

Maerua angolensis DC. indigenous
- Maerua angolensis DC. subsp, angolensis, indigenous
Maerua brevipetiolata Killick, indigenous
Maerua cafra (DC.) Pax, indigenous
Maerua decumbens (Brongn.) DeWolf, indigenous
Maerua edulis (Gilg & Gilg-Ben.) DeWolf, indigenous
Maerua gilgii Schinz, indigenous
Maerua juncea Pax, indigenous
- Maerua juncea Pax subsp, crustata (Wild) Wild, indigenous
Maerua nervosa (Hochst.) Oliv. endemic
Maerua parvifolia Pax, indigenous
Maerua racemulosa (A.DC.) Gilg & Gilg-Ben. indigenous
Maerua rosmarinoides (Sond.) Gilg & Gilg-Ben. indigenous
Maerua schinzii Pax, indigenous

Thilachium

Genus Thilachium:

Thilachium africanum Lour. indigenous

Cleomaceae

Family: Cleomaceae,

Cleome

Genus Cleome:

Cleome angustifolia Forssk. indigenous
- Cleome angustifolia Forssk. subsp, diandra (Burch.) Kers, indigenous
- Cleome angustifolia Forssk. subsp, petersiana (Klotzsch ex Sond.) Kers, indigenous
Cleome bororensis (Klotzsch) Oliv. indigenous
Cleome conrathii Burtt Davy, indigenous
Cleome foliosa Hook.f. indigenous
Cleome foliosa Hook.f. var, lutea (Sond.) Codd & Kers, indigenous
Cleome gynandra L. indigenous
Cleome hassleriana Chodat, accepted as Tarenaya hassleriana (Chodat) Iltis, not indigenous, naturalised, invasive
Cleome hirta (Klotzsch) Oliv. indigenous
Cleome kalachariensis (Schinz) Gilg & Gilg-Ben. indigenous
Cleome macrophylla (Klotzsch) Briq. indigenous
Cleome maculata (Sond.) Szyszyl. indigenous
Cleome monophylla L. indigenous
Cleome oxyphylla Burch. indigenous
- Cleome oxyphylla Burch. var, oxyphylla, indigenous
- Cleome oxyphylla Burch. var, robusta Kers, endemic
Cleome paxii (Schinz) Gilg & Gilg-Ben. indigenous
Cleome rubella Burch. indigenous
Cleome schlechteri Briq. endemic

Tarenaya

Genus Tarenaya:

Tarenaya hassleriana (Chodat) Iltis, not indigenous, naturalised, invasive

Resedaceae

Family: Resedaceae,

Oligomeris

Genus Oligomeris:

Oligomeris dipetala (Aiton) Turcz. indigenous
- Oligomeris dipetala (Aiton) Turcz. var, dipetala, indigenous
Oligomeris dregeana (Mull.Arg.) Mull.Arg. indigenous

Reseda

Genus Reseda:

Reseda lutea L. not indigenous, naturalised, invasive
- Reseda lutea L. subsp, lutea var, nutans, not indigenous, naturalised, invasive

Salvadoraceae

Family: Salvadoraceae,

Azima

Genus Azima:

Azima tetracantha Lam. indigenous

Salvadora

Genus Salvadora:

Salvadora australis Schweick. indigenous
Salvadora persica L. indigenous
- Salvadora persica L. var, persica, indigenous
- Salvadora persica L. var, pubescens Brenan, indigenous

Tropaeolaceae

Family: Tropaeolaceae,

Tropaeolum

Genus Tropaeolum:

Tropaeolum majus L. not indigenous, cultivated, naturalised, invasive
Tropaeolum speciosum Poepp. & Endl. not indigenous, naturalised, invasive

References

Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2003). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG II" (PDF). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 141 (4): 399–436. doi:10.1046/j.1095-8339.2003.t01-1-00158.x.
Hall, Jocelyn C.; Sytsma, Kenneth J.; Iltis, Hugh H. (2002). "Phylogeny of Capparaceae and Brassicaceae based on chloroplast sequence data". American Journal of Botany. 89 (11): 1826–1842. doi:10.3732/ajb.89.11.1826. PMID 21665611.
Doyle, J. A.; Donoghue, M. J. (1986). "Seed plant phylogeny and the origin of the angiosperms - an experimental cladistic approach". Botanical Review. 52 (4): 321–431. doi:10.1007/bf02861082. S2CID 44844947.
Butler, Rhett A. (1 July 2019). "Total number of plant species by country". Mongabay. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
"Vegetation of South Africa". PlantZAfrica.com. SA National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
^ "species_checklist_20180710.csv". South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 27 September 2020.

Biodiversity of South Africa

National taxon checklists

Plants

Flowering
plants

Acorales
Alismatales
Apiales
- Apiaceae
Aquifoliales
Arecales
Asparagales
- Asphodelaceae
- Hyacinthaceae
- Iridaceae
- Orchidaceae
Asterales
- Asteraceae
Boraginales
Brassicales
Bruniales
Buxales
Canellales
Caryophyllales
- Aizoaceae
Celastrales
Ceratophyllales
Commelinales
Cornales
Crossosomatales
Cucurbitales
Dioscoreales
Dipsacales
Ericales
Escalloniales
Fabales
Fagales
Gentianales
- Apocynaceae
- Rubiaceae
Geraniales
Gunnerales
Huerteales
Icacinales
Lamiales
- Acanthaceae
- Lamiaceae
- Scrophulariaceae
Laurales
Liliales
Magnoliales
Malpighiales
- Euphorbiaceae
Malvales
Myrtales
Nymphaeales
Oxalidales
Pandanales
Piperales
Poales
- Poaceae
Proteales
Ranunculales
Rosales
Santalales
Sapindales
Saxifragales
Solanales
Vahliales
Vitales
Zingiberales
Zygophyllales

Animals

Ascidians
Bryozoans
Comb jellies
Echinoderms
Nematodes
Polychaetes
Marine cnidarians
Marine flatworms
Sponges
Tardigrades

Arthropods

Marine crustaceans
- Sea spiders
Centipedes
Millipedes
Entognatha

Arachnids

Harvestmen
Microwhip scorpions
Pseudoscorpions
Scorpions
Shorttailed whipscorpions
Solifugae
Araneae
Ixodida
Whip spiders and tailless whip scorpions

Insects

Alderflies, dobsonflies and fishflies
Beetles
Booklice, barklice and barkflies
Butterflies and moths
Caddisflies
Cockroaches and termites
Dragonflies and damselflies
Earwigs
Fleas
Flies
Jumping bristletails
Lice
Mantises
Mayflies
Net-winged insects
Notoptera
Orthoptera
Sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants
Scorpionflies
Silverfish and firebrats
Stick and leaf insects
Stoneflies
Strepsiptera
Termites
Thrips
True bugs
Webspinners

Molluscs

Vertebrates

Seaweeds

Fungi

Regional taxon checklists and other minor lists
List of marine invertebrates of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay List of marine vertebrates of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay List of green seaweeds of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay List of brown seaweeds of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay List of red seaweeds of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay Related: Timber trees of Gauteng

Biodiversity hotspots and Centres of diversity

Ecoregions

List of ecoregions in South Africa

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests	Knysna–Amatole montane forests KwaZulu–Cape coastal forest mosaic Maputaland coastal forest mosaic
Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands	Kalahari Acacia-Baikiaea woodlands Southern Africa bushveld Zambezian and mopane woodlands
Montane grasslands and shrublands	Drakensberg alti-montane grasslands and woodlands Drakensberg montane grasslands, woodlands and forests Highveld grasslands Maputaland–Pondoland bushland and thickets
Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub	Albany thickets Lowland fynbos and renosterveld Montane fynbos and renosterveld
Deserts and xeric shrublands	Kalahari xeric savanna Nama Karoo Succulent Karoo
Tundra	Southern Indian Ocean Islands tundra
Mangroves	Southern Africa mangroves
Marine ecoregions	Agulhas ecoregion Benguela ecoregion Delagoa ecoregion Natal ecoregion Southeast Atlantic ecoregion Southwest Indian ecoregion

Biomes and Vegetation classification

List of vegetation types of South Africa

Savanna	Andesite Mountain Bushveld Aoub Duneveld Barberton Serpentine Sourveld Bhisho Thornveld Cathedral Mopane Bushveld Central Sandy Bushveld Delagoa Lowveld Dwaalboom Thornveld Dwarsberg-Swartruggens Mountain Bushveld Eastern Valley Bushveld Gabbro Grassy Bushveld Gauteng Shale Mountain Bushveld Ghaap Plateau Vaalbosveld Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld Gordonia Duneveld Gordonia Kameeldoring Bushveld Gordonia Plains Shrubland Granite Lowveld Gravelotte Rocky Bushveld Kaalrug Mountain Bushveld Kathu Bushveld Kimberley Thornveld Koranna-Langeberg Mountain Bushveld Kuruman Mountain Bushveld Kuruman Thornveld Kuruman Vaalbosveld KwaZulu-Natal Hinterland Thornveld KwaZulu-Natal Sandstone Sourveld Lebombo Summit Sourveld Legogote Sour Bushveld Limpopo Ridge Bushveld Limpopo Sweet Bushveld Loskop Mountain Bushveld Loskop Thornveld Lowveld Rugged Mopaneveld Madikwe Dolomite Bushveld Mafikeng Bushveld Makatini Clay Thicket Makhado Sweet Bushveld Makuleke Sandy Bushveld Malelane Mountain Bushveld Mamabolo Mountain Bushveld Marikana Thornveld Molopo Bushveld Moot Plains Bushveld Mopane Basalt Shrubland Mopane Gabbro Shrubland Musina Mopane Bushveld Ngongoni Veld Norite Koppies Bushveld Northern Lebombo Bushveld Northern Zululand Sourveld Nossob Bushveld Nwambyia-Pumbe Sandy Bushveld Ohrigstad Mountain Bushveld Olifantshoek Plains Thornveld Phalaborwa-Timbavati Mopaneveld Pilanesberg Mountain Bushveld Polokwane Plateau Bushveld Postmasburg Thornveld Poung Dolomite Mountain Bushveld Pretoriuskop Sour Bushveld Roodeberg Bushveld Schmidtsdrif Thornveld Schweizer-Reneke Bushveld Sekhukhune Mountain Bushveld Sekhukhune Plains Bushveld South Eastern Coastal Thornveld Southern Lebombo Bushveld Soutpansberg Mountain Bushveld Springbokvlakte Thornveld Stella Bushveld Swaziland Sour Bushveld Tembe Sandy Bushveld Thukela Thornveld Thukela Valley Bushveld Tsende Mopaneveld Tshokwane-Hlane Basalt Lowveld Tzaneen Sour Bushveld Vaalbos Rocky Shrubland VhaVenda Miombo Waterberg Mountain Bushveld Western Maputaland Clay Bushveld Western Maputaland Sandy Bushveld Western Sandy Bushveld Zeerust Thornveld Zululand Coastal Thornveld Zululand Lowveld
Grassland	Aliwal North Dry Grassland Amathole Mistbelt Grassland Amathole Montane Grassland Amersfoort Highveld Clay Grassland Barberton Montane Grassland Basotho Montane Shrubland Bedford Dry Grassland Besemkaree Koppies Shrubland Bloemfontein Dry Grassland Bloemfontein Karroid Shrubland Carletonville Dolomite Grassland Central Free State Grassland Drakensberg Afroalpine Heathland Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland Drakensberg-Amathole Afromontane Fynbos East Griqualand Grassland Eastern Free State Clay Grassland Eastern Free State Sandy Grassland Eastern Highveld Grassland Egoli Granite Grassland Frankfort Highveld Grassland Income Sandy Grassland Ithala Quartzite Sourveld KaNgwane Montane Grassland Karoo Escarpment Grassland Klerksdorp Thornveld KwaZulu-Natal Highland Thornveld Leolo Summit Sourveld Lesotho Highland Basalt Grassland Low Escarpment Moist Grassland Lydenburg Montane Grassland Lydenburg Thornveld Mabela Sandy Grassland Midlands Mistbelt Grassland Mooi River Highland Grassland Mthatha Moist Grassland Northern Drakensberg Highland Grassland Northern Escarpment Afromontane Fynbos Northern Escarpment Dolomite Grassland Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld Northern Free State Shrubland Northern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland Northern KwaZulu-Natal Shrubland Northern Zululand Mistbelt Grassland Paulpietersburg Moist Grassland Queenstown Thornveld Rand Highveld Grassland Sekhukhune Montane Grassland Senqu Montane Shrubland Southern Drakensberg Highland Grassland Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland Soutpansberg Summit Sourveld Soweto Highveld Grassland Steenkampsberg Montane Grassland Stormberg Plateau Grassland Strydpoort Summit Sourveld Tarkastad Montane Shrubland Tsakane Clay Grassland Tsomo Grassland uKhahlamba Basalt Grassland Vaal Reefs Dolomite Sinkhole Woodland Vaal-Vet Sandy Grassland Vredefort Dome Granite Grassland Wakkerstroom Montane Grassland Waterberg-Magaliesberg Summit Sourveld Western Free State Clay Grassland Western Highveld Sandy Grassland Western Lesotho Basalt Shrubland Winburg Grassy Shrubland Wolkberg Dolomite Grassland Woodbush Granite Grassland Xhariep Karroid Grassland Zastron Moist Grassland
Fynbos	Agulhas Limestone Fynbos Agulhas Sand Fynbos Albertinia Sand Fynbos Algoa Sandstone Fynbos Atlantis Sand Fynbos Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos Boland Granite Fynbos Breede Alluvium Fynbos Breede Quartzite Fynbos Breede Sand Fynbos Breede Shale Fynbos Canca Limestone Fynbos Cape Flats Sand Fynbos Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos Central Coastal Shale Band Vegetation Central Inland Shale Band Vegetation De Hoop Limestone Fynbos Eastern Coastal Shale Band Vegetation Eastern Inland Shale Band Vegetation Elgin Shale Fynbos Elim Ferricrete Fynbos Garden Route Granite Fynbos Garden Route Shale Fynbos Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos Greyton Shale Fynbos Grootrivier Quartzite Fynbos Hangklip Sand Fynbos Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos Hopefield Sand Fynbos Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos Kango Conglomerate Fynbos Knysna Sand Fynbos Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos Kouebokkeveld Alluvium Fynbos Kouebokkeveld Shale Fynbos Kouga Grassy Sandstone Fynbos Kouga Sandstone Fynbos Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos Loerie Conglomerate Fynbos Lourensford Alluvium Fynbos Matjiesfontein Quartzite Fynbos Matjiesfontein Shale Fynbos Montagu Shale Fynbos Namaqualand Sand Fynbos North Hex Sandstone Fynbos North Kammanassie Sandstone Fynbos North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos North Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos North Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos Northern Inland Shale Band Vegetation Olifants Sandstone Fynbos Overberg Sandstone Fynbos Peninsula Granite Fynbos Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos Potberg Ferricrete Fynbos Potberg Sandstone Fynbos Robertson Granite Fynbos South Hex Sandstone Fynbos South Kammanassie Sandstone Fynbos South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos South Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos South Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos South Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos Southern Cape Dune Fynbos Stinkfonteinberge Quartzite Fynbos Suurberg Quartzite Fynbos Suurberg Shale Fynbos Swartberg Altimontane Sandstone Fynbos Swartberg Shale Fynbos Swartland Alluvium Fynbos Swartruggens Quartzite Fynbos Swellendam Silcrete Fynbos Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos Western Altimontane Sandstone Fynbos Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos
Renosterveld	Baviaanskloof Shale Renosterveld Breede Alluvium Renosterveld Breede Shale Renosterveld Central Mountain Shale Renosterveld Central Ruêns Shale Renosterveld Ceres Shale Renosterveld Eastern Ruêns Shale Renosterveld Hantam Plateau Dolerite Renosterveld Humansdorp Shale Renosterveld Kango Limestone Renosterveld Langkloof Shale Renosterveld Matjiesfontein Shale Renosterveld Montagu Shale Renosterveld Mossel Bay Shale Renosterveld Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld Nieuwoudtville-Roggeveld Dolerite Renosterveld Peninsula Shale Renosterveld Robertson Granite Renosterveld Roggeveld Shale Renosterveld Ruêns Silcrete Renosterveld Swartberg Shale Renosterveld Swartland Alluvium Renosterveld Swartland Granite Renosterveld Swartland Shale Renosterveld Swartland Silcrete Renosterveld Uniondale Shale Renosterveld Vanrhynsdorp Shale Renosterveld Western Ruêns Shale Renosterveld
Succulent Karoo	Aggeneys Gravel Vygieveld Agter-Sederberg Shrubland Anenous Plateau Shrubland Bushmanland Inselberg Shrubland Central Knersvlakte Vygieveld Central Richtersveld Mountain Shrubland Citrusdal Vygieveld Die Plate Succulent Shrubland Doringrivier Quartzite Karoo Eastern Little Karoo Eenriet Plains Succulent Shrubland Goariep Mountain Succulent Shrubland Hantam Karoo Kamiesberg Mountains Shrubland Klawer Sandy Shrubland Knersvlakte Dolomite Vygieveld Knersvlakte Quartz Vygieveld Knersvlakte Shale Vygieveld Koedoesberge-Moordenaars Karoo Kosiesberg Succulent Shrubland Lekkersing Succulent Shrubland Little Karoo Quartz Vygieveld Namaqualand Arid Grassland Namaqualand Blomveld Namaqualand Coastal Duneveld Namaqualand Heuweltjie Strandveld Namaqualand Heuweltjieveld Namaqualand Inland Duneveld Namaqualand Klipkoppe Shrubland Namaqualand Shale Shrubland Namaqualand Spinescent Grassland Namaqualand Strandveld Northern Knersvlakte Vygieveld Northern Richtersveld Scorpionstailveld Northern Richtersveld Yellow Duneveld Oograbies Plains Sandy Grassland Piketberg Quartz Succulent Shrubland Platbakkies Succulent Shrubland Prince Albert Succulent Karoo Richtersveld Coastal Duneveld Richtersveld Red Duneveld Richtersveld Sandy Coastal Scorpionstailveld Riethuis-Wallekraal Quartz Vygieveld Robertson Karoo Roggeveld Karoo Rooiberg Quartz Vygieveld Rosyntjieberg Succulent Shrubland Southern Namaqualand Quartzite Klipkoppe Shrubland Southern Richtersveld Inselberg Shrubland Southern Richtersveld Scorpionstailveld Southern Richtersveld Yellow Duneveld Steytlerville Karoo Stinkfonteinberge Eastern Apron Shrubland Swartruggens Quartzite Karoo Tanqua Escarpment Shrubland Tanqua Karoo Tatasberg Mountain Succulent Shrubland Umdaus Mountains Succulent Shrubland Upper Annisvlakte Succulent Shrubland Vanrhynsdorp Gannabosveld Vyftienmyl se Berge Succulent Shrubland Western Bushmanland Klipveld Western Gwarrieveld Western Little Karoo Willowmore Gwarrieveld
Albany Thicket and Strandveld	Albany Arid Thicket Albany Bontveld Albany Mesic Thicket Albany Valley Thicket Baviaans Valley Thicket Bethelsdorp Bontveld Blombos Strandveld Buffels Mesic Thicket Buffels Valley Thicket Cape Flats Dune Strandveld Crossroads Grassland Thicket Doubledrift Karroid Thicket Eastern Gwarrieveld Elands Forest Thicket Escarpment Arid Thicket Escarpment Mesic Thicket Escarpment Valley Thicket Fish Arid Thicket Fish Mesic Thicket Fish Valley Thicket Gamka Arid Thicket Gamka Valley Thicket Geluk Grassland Thicket Goukamma Dune Thicket Gouritz Valley Thicket Grahamstown Grassland Thicket Grassridge Bontveld Groot Brak Dune Strandveld Hamburg Dune Thicket Hartenbos Dune Thicket Kasouga Dune Thicket Koedoeskloof Karroid Thicket Lambert's Bay Strandveld Langebaan Dune Strandveld Mons Ruber Fynbos Thicket Motherwell Karroid Thicket Nanaga Savanna Thicket Oudshoorn Karroid Thicket Overberg Dune Strandveld Saldanha Flats Strandveld Saldanha Granite Strandveld Saldanha Limestone Strandveld Saltaire Karroid Thicket Sardinia Forest Thicket St Francis Dune Thicket Subtropical Dune Thicket Sundays Arid Thicket Sundays Mesic Thicket Sundays Valley Thicket Thorndale Forest Thicket Umtiza Forest Thicket Vanstadens Forest Thicket Western Gwarrieveld Willowmore Gwarrieveld
Nama Karoo and desert	Albany Broken Veld Blouputs Karroid Thornveld Bushmanland Arid Grassland Bushmanland Basin Shrubland Bushmanland Sandy Grassland Eastern Lower Karoo Eastern Upper Karoo Gamka Karoo Kalahari Karroid Shrubland Lower Gariep Broken Veld Lower Karoo Gwarrieveld Northern Upper Karoo Upper Karoo Hardeveld Western Upper Karoo Alexander Bay Coastal Duneveld Eastern Gariep Plains Desert Eastern Gariep Rocky Desert Helskloof Canyon Desert Kahams Mountain Desert Kwaggarug Mountain Desert Namib Lichen Fields Noms Mountain Desert Northern Nababiepsberge Mountain Desert Richtersberg Mountain Desert Richtersveld Sheet Wash Desert Southern Nababiepsberge Mountain Desert Western Gariep Hills Desert Western Gariep Lowland Desert Western Gariep Plains Desert
Azonal	Albany Alluvial Vegetation Albany Dune Strandveld Algoa Dune Strandveld Arid Estuarine Salt Marshes Bushmanland Vloere Cape Estuarine Salt Marshes Cape Inland Salt Pans Cape Lowland Alluvial Vegetation Cape Lowland Freshwater Wetlands Cape Seashore Vegetation Cape Vernal Pools Drakensberg Wetlands Eastern Temperate Freshwater Wetlands Fynbos Riparian Vegetation Highveld Alluvial Vegetation Highveld Salt Pans Lesotho Mires Lower Gariep Alluvial Vegetation Muscadel Riviere Namaqualand Riviere Namaqualand Salt Pans Namaqualand Seashore Vegetation Namib Seashore Vegetation Southern Kalahari Mekgacha Southern Kalahari Salt Pans Southern Karoo Riviere Subantarctic Kelp Bed Vegetation Subtropical Alluvial Vegetation Subtropical Dune Thicket Subtropical Estuarine Salt Marshes Subtropical Freshwater Wetlands Subtropical Salt Pans Subtropical Seashore Vegetation Tanqua Wash Riviere Upper Gariep Alluvial Vegetation
Forest and Coastal belt	KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Belt Maputaland Coastal Belt Maputaland Wooded Grassland Pondoland-Natal Sandstone Coastal Sourveld Transkei Coastal Belt Ironwood Dry Forest Lowveld Riverine Forest Mangrove Forest Northern Afrotemperate Forest Northern Coastal Forest Northern Mistbelt Forest Sand Forest Scarp Forest Southern Afrotemperate Forest Southern Coastal Forest Southern Mistbelt Forest Swamp Forest
Subantarctic biome	Subantarctic Biotic Herbfield and Grassland Subantarctic Cinder Cone Vegetation Subantarctic Coastal Vegetation Subantarctic Drainage Line Vegetation Subantarctic Fellfield Subantarctic Fernbrake Vegetation Subantarctic Mire Subantarctic Polar Desert
not on VEGMAP	List of forests of South Africa List of forests of the Eastern Cape Forests of KwaZulu-Natal KwaZulu-Natal Dune Forest KwaZulu-Natal coastal lowland forest List of forests of the Western Cape

Protected areas of South Africa

Index of protected areas of South Africa

South
African
National
Parks

Biosphere
reserves

Marine
protected
areas of
South
Africa

Coastal

Offshore

Management
organisations

Biodiversity research in SA

Research organisations	Animal Demography Unit BirdLife South Africa South African Association for Marine Biological Research South African Environmental Observation Network South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity South African National Biodiversity Institute
Research projects	African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme National Biodiversity Assessment National Vegetation Map Project Reef Atlas Project SeaKeys
Citizen science databases	iNaturalist iSpot Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology Virtual Museum
Botanical gardens	Durban Botanic Gardens Free State National Botanical Garden Garden Route Botanical Garden Hantam National Botanical Garden Harold Porter National Botanical Garden Johannesburg Botanical Garden Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden Kwelera National Botanical Garden Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden Lowveld National Botanical Garden Makana Botanical Gardens Manie van der Schijff Botanical Garden North-West University Botanical Garden Pretoria National Botanical Garden Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden Thohoyandou National Botanical Garden University of KwaZulu-Natal Botanical Garden Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden
Taxonomists	List of authors of South African botanical taxa List of authors of South African animal taxa

Regional biodiversity	Biodiversity of Cape Town List of nature reserves in Cape Town
Legislation	Marine Living Resources Act, 18 of 1998 National Environmental Management Act, 1998 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 10 of 2004 National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act, 24 of 2008 National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 57 of 2003
Publications	List of field guides to South African biota

Categories: Biodiversity of South Africa
Index

Categories: