Conservation status of Stenostelma umbelluliferum and its implications for management of biodiversity

Abstract

Stenostelma umbelluliferum is an enigmatic plant that has elicited much attention in recent years. Initially thought to be extinct, its rediscovery in an urban area created turmoil in both conservation management and urban development. Taxonomic and field investigations were conducted over a number of years to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the species, and each new batch of information lead to conservation status changes. A re-assessment of the conservation status is presented, based on the most recent evidence of its distribution, threats and population dynamics