Anisodontea dissecta is currently listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in the Red List of South African plants. The population is suspected to be fewer than 250 plants and continues to decline because of over-grazing and habitat transformation for crop cultivation (Raimondo & Helme 2019). 

The conservation status of this species has over the years been uncertain and confusing largely because of a lack of a proper taxonomic treatment of the species. Hall et al. (1980) assessed the species and came to the conclusion that its conservation status was uncertain as a consequence of habitat loss and invasive alien species. Later, Hilton-Taylor (1960) assessed the species and considered it to be vulnerable because of further habitat loss. Recently Raimondo et al. (2009) assessed the species and came to the conclusion that it was critically endangered. In their assessment they found 5, small, severely fragmented subpopulations that consisted of fewer than 50 plants per subpopulation because of more than 70% of the habitat having been transformed for crop cultivation.

Fig. 3: The sprawling habit of Anisodontea dissecta. (Photo by Brian du Preez)