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The flora of Mlawula is notable for its great richness and diversity, more especially in the deep rocky ravines of the Lubombo mountains; here, almost pure stands of the unique Lubombo Ironwood may be found, and in their shade grows a cycad found nowhere else in the world, as well as many uncommon succulents and climbers.
The Mbuluzi river valley provides a floral link with the Mozambican coastal flats, and several species of plant more typical of that area grow here. The higher ravines and south-facing valleys tend to support a wetter type of forest or thicket, and are well worth a visit. The dryer Siphiso valley is characterised by knobthorn savanna, with bushwillow species on the rocky ridges. (See Vegetation Types, Vegetation Map)
The flora of the reserve comprises about 1035 plant species including 55 alien species.
Priority Species
(Information extracted from Southern African Plant Red Data Lists, Ed. Janice Golding, Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 14, 2002.)
(Note: the links for each species will take you to the relevant page of the Swaziland Flora Database.)
Critically Endangered
Encephalartos striatus
Status: CR A1acdA2cB1B2abcde
Threats: Collection
Distribution: Umbeluzi Gorge of Mlawula
Occurs in the shade of Androstachys johnsonii forest. This species used to be extremely common, but this has changed. The species has suffered massive decline in the last 10 years, estimated at more than 80%. It is
found in an extremely accessible area. Threatened by illegal collectors.
Euphorbia keithii
Status: CR B1B2ceC2a
Endemism: Near endemic
Threats: Agriculture, urban expansion, habitat degradation, forestry exploitation, harvesting, alien plant infestation
Distribution: Stegi, Usuthu Gorge (?), Sitsatsaweni (northeast of Siteki), Oribi Ranch, Mlawula Species protected under CITES. Habitat specific, habitat
decline. Species prefers hot, dry, exposed areas. Restricted to the Lebombo Mountains.
Endangered
Aloe dewetii
Status: EN A1acd
Threats: Collection
Distribution: Hlatikulu (Grand Valley)
Listed by WCMC’s RDL as Vulnerable for Swaziland and previously Rare. Previously found in the Hlatikulu (1970s), but could not be found there recently. Is a spotted leaf aloe eaten by people. Threatened by a high population density.
Encephalartos aplanatus
Status: EN A1acdB2abcde
Distribution: Mlawula, Goba road just north of Siteki, South of Siteki toward the farm Muti Muti, previously on Muti Muti
This species is also known from Mozambique. This species was described from a subpopulation of about six individuals near the Swaziland South Africa border. Subsequently, several subpopulations have been discovered. Threatened by illegal collectors.
Encephalartos lebomboensis
Status: EN A1acdeA2deB1B2abcde
Threats: Harvesting, collection
Distribution: Mangana, Mbuzini, Malto Alto, Lebombo, Stataweni, Mangana
All the localities mentioned are primarily relicts. Subpopulations suffered a measurable decline. In 1981, the subpopulation was observed to be abundant. Almost 20 years later, there has been a 25% decline.
Threatened by illegal collectors.
Lannea antiscorbutica
Status: EN DB1B2aC2b
Endemism: Near endemic
Distribution: Umbeluzi Gorge (Mlawula)
Previously only known from a single locality in South Africa near the Swaziland Mozambique border.
Vitellariopsis dispar
Status: EN B1B2cD
Endemism: Near endemic
Distribution: Mlawula, Siteki
Restricted. Only one locality outside Swaziland. Moist forest.
Vulnerable
Ficus polita subsp. polita
Status: VU D2
Distribution: Mlawula (Umbeluzi Gorge, Mahlabashane), Jilobi
Gladiolus brachyphyllus
Status: VU A2c
Threats: Urban expansion
Distribution: Umbeluzi and Umlola Reserves, Mlawula Several subpopulations found in the Kruger National Park (South Africa); recorded from Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga (South Africa). Only single plants have been found in Swaziland. Very seldomly seen.
Lower Risk
Acrotome thorncroftii
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula, Lomahasha, Tulwana, Blue Jay Ranch
Previously listed as Rare. Known from about five herbarium collections in Swaziland.
Aloe rupestris
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Umbeluzi Gorge, Mnyame, Libertas, Lebombo
Was listed previously as Rare for Swaziland.
Aloe vanbalenii
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula, lower East side of Umbeluzi river, Lebombo
In river valleys. Uncommon. Was listed as Rare for Swaziland in previous RDLs. Only in the northern Lebombo Mountains.
Aneilema dregeanum
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Ingwavuma Poort, Mtindekwa, Mlawula Three localities identifed in Swaziland from collections by Compton and Braun. Also known from South Africa, and reported also to occur in Zimbabwe.
Chionanthus foveolatus subsp. foveolatus
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula, Jilobi, Umbeluzi Gorge
Known from only a single protected locality in Swaziland.
Cleome macrophylla var. macrophylla
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula (Lebombo), Mbeluzi Gorge
Cordyla africana
Status: LR lc
Very rare and marginal in Swaziland, often occurring as single plants. It is a widespread tropical plant. Wild Mango.
Crassula acinaciformis
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Ukuthula, Hlatikhulu, Komati Bridge, Mlawula, Maguga, Siteki, Umbeluzi Gorge
One protected locality.
Crassula orbicularis
Status: LR lc
Only one record for Swaziland by Kemp.
Crinum graminicola
Status: LR lc
Threats: Agriculture
Distribution: Mlawula, Hlane (Simunye)
One subpopulation known. Only in South Africa, according to PRECIS. Sugar cultivation is a threat.
Croton madandensis
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula, Lebombo Mountains
Shrub or tree.
Cussonia nicholsonii
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula (S), Siteki
Two records, one in a protected area. Known collections in Swaziland by Culverwell and Kemp.
Dietes flavida
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Malolotja and Mlawula Reserves, Lebombo
Has a disjunct distribution and scarce everywhere.
Drimiopsis maculata
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula, Red Tiger Ranch
Ficus bubu
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula, Manzinyama, Umbeluzi Poort, Siteki, Sihaya
In Androstachys forests in Mlawula.
Gasteria batesiana var. batesiana
Status: LR nt
Threats: Collection
Distribution: Umbeluzi Gorge, Mnyami
On cliffs. Four small disjunct subpopulations in Swaziland. Collected for medicinal and horticultural purposes.
Haworthia limifolia var. ubomboensis
Status: LR nt
Endemism: Near endemic
Threats: Collection
Distribution: Siteki, Umbeluzi Gorge, Mnyame
In forests. Limited in distribution. Not uncommon. Known from two subpopulations in Swaziland, but restricted to the Lebombo. Known only from Ironwood forests. Collected for medicinal and horticultural purposes. Also reported from the Lebombo in South Africa and Mozambique.
Lobelia corniculata
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Lebombo, Siteki, Mlawula
Was listed as Indeterminate/Uncertain in previous RDLs.
Known from very few herbarium collections.
Manilkara concolor
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Bulunga Poort, Mlawula, Siteki, Umbeluzi, Timbutini, Manzini
Recorded in Swaziland by Compton, Culverwell and Kemp.
Nesaea alata
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula
In or near shallow pans. Only recorded twice, once from Kruger National Park (South Africa) and once in the Lebombo Mountains.
Newtonia hildebrandtii var. hildebrandtii
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula, Manzimnyama (Nyame), Umbeluzi Gorge, Black Mbeluzi River
Recorded in Swaziland by Culverwell.
Orbea ubomboensis
Status: LR lc
Endemism: Endemic?
Distribution: Lebombo
Was listed previously as Rare for Swaziland. Is common in the Lebombo Mountains.
Pavetta barbertonensis
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Siteki, Kings Forest, Lebombo Mnts., Palata, Mlawula
Was on the previous Swaziland RDL as Rare.
Psilotum nudum
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Umbeluzi Gorge, Malolotja, Mlawula
A cosmopolitan species, but seldom common anywhere. Widespread in Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Australia, Polynesia, Spain, the Americas and so forth.
Streptocarpus confusus subsp. lebomboensis
Status: LR lc
Endemism: Near endemic
Distribution: Mlawula, Mnyame, Jilobi
Scattered in moist forest of the Lebombo.
Tephrosia gobensis
Status: LR lc
Endemism: Endemic ?
Distribution: Mlawula, Siteki
Tephrosia grandiflora
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Blue Jay Ranch (Mlawula), Mananga Mount, Siteki
Recorded in Swaziland by Compton.
Tephrosia kraussiana
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula
Known from collections in Swaziland by Culverwell.
Thunbergia pondoensis
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Mlawula, Komati Bridge
Tinnea galpinii
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Hlatikhulu, Mlawula, Siteki, Cecil Marks Pass
Recorded in Swaziland by Compton and Culverwell.
Uvaria lucida subsp. virens
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Lebombo, Mlawula
Xylopia odoratissima
Status: LR lc
Distribution: Umbelzi Gorge, Mhlumeni Border
Data Deficient
Aloe cooperi subsp. cooperi
Status: DD
Distribution: Malolotja Valley, Ezulwini, Stegi, 20 km North of Piggs Peak
Found in Malalotja Valley in the mid veld. Taxonomic problem makes this species difficult to assess. Very common and widespread in South Africa.
Aneilema schlechteri
Status: DD
Endemism: Near endemic
Distribution: Malinda, Grand Valley
Known from collections in Swaziland by Codd, from two localities.
Ceropegia carnosa
Status: DD
Distribution: Mlawula, Maguga, Gollel, Komati Pass
One site protected, whereas the other is inundated. It is known from several collections such as those of Culverwell, Germishuizen, Dlamini and Hilliard. Status: DD
Distribution: Komati Pass, Bunya
Known from collections in Swaziland by Kemp.
Ceropegia crassifolia var. crassifolia
Status: DD
Distribution: Dinedor
Known from collections in Swaziland by Culverwell and Wallis.
Croton steenkampianus
Status: DD
Distribution: Blue Jay Ranch (Mlawula)
One record in a protected area by Lycette. Known to be extremely common outside Swaziland.
Euclea undulata
Status: DD
Distribution: Simunye, Sicusha, Golela
Only one record for Swaziland by Rodin.
Eulophia speciosa
Status: DD
Distribution: Mlawula, Umbeluzi Gorge
Northwards into Tropical Africa. Also reported from the Cape area (South Africa). Both synonyms were classified as threatened in previous RDLs.
Gladiolus hollandii
Status: DD
Previously listed as Rare for South Africa’s former Transvaal and Swaziland. It is reported to be common in hills above Barberton in South Africa, as it is a
highveld species. Common in South Africa.
Helichrysum athrixiifolium
Status: DD
Distribution: Malkerns, Mlawula, Hlatikulu, Hlane Game Reserve, Malandzela, possibly Maguga
Hypoxis hemerocallidea
Status: DD
Very widely used. Still very widespread and abundant in the wild.
Lannea schweinfurthii var. stuhlmannii
Status: DD
Likely to be extinct in Swaziland.
Nesaea zambatidis
Status: DD
Distribution: Mlawula
Known from collections in Swaziland by Culverwell.
Plectranthus rubropunctatus
Status: DD
Distribution: Mdzimba, Forbes Reef, Ermelo Rd., Piggs Peak, Mbabane
Plectranthus zuluensis
Status: DD
Endemism: Near endemic
Distribution: Mdzimba, Umbeluzi
Recorded in Swaziland by Culverwell.
Senecio medley-woodii
Status: DD
Distribution: Lebombo Mountains (Jozini) to Umtamvuna River, Mlawula
Has succulent stems. Good horticultural potential. Reported to be fairly uncommon in South Africa. No information available for Swaziland.
Stachys natalensis var. natalensis
Status: DD
Distribution: Malolotja, Havelock mine, Nduma, Ngwenya Mountain.
Turraea floribunda
Status: DD
Distribution: Lebombo Mountains, Mhlophe, Siteki
Recorded in Swaziland by Compton.
Vitex rehmannii
Status: DD
Distribution: Siteki
Known from collections in Swaziland by Miller.
Xylopia parviflora
Status: DD
Threats: Collection
Collected for medicinal properties.
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