Cissus rotundifolia var. ferugineo-pubescens is a succulent climber native to SE Kenya, in Kwale Dist. and Kikwezi Forest. It grows in dry woodland and bush, at 400–975 m asl. The extent of occurrence (EOO) estimated at 384 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) estimated at 16 km² both comply with the thresholds of the Endangered category under the subcriteria B1 and B2. The variety is known from five specimens collected between 1959 and 2010, and should be considered as fairly rare. One of the collecting sites lies inside protected areas (Kibwezi Forest Reserve, one of the Kenya’s last rainforests and part of the East Tsavo Conservancy area) while the others ones are unprotected areas subjected to conversion for crop cultivation and livestock farming. The Biodiversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Kenya and Tanzania are globally threatened (Gereau et al. 2016). In addition, the species’ population seems to be severely fragmented and confronted to genetic erosion related to the strong isolation of the two subpopulations. Regarding these threats, the number of locations is set at two. This loss of habitat leads us to infer a continuing decline in quality of habitat. Therefore, based on the above observations, C. rotundifolia var. ferugineo-pubescens is listed as Endangered (EN) – EN B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii).

This variety is endemic to Kenya where it is found in Kwale and Makueni Counties. It grows between 300–975 m asl. It has an estimated extent of occurrence 384 km² and estimated area of occupancy of 16 km².

The herbarium collections were made in 1959 by B. Verdcourt; W.R.Q. Luke in 1992 and 2006 in the same location; the other was collected by P. Kuchar in 1977 in the same location. A second location was made by W.R.Q. Luke in 2010 at Kibwesi Forest Reserve.

This variant is a woody climber between 1.2–9 m tall. It is densely ferruginous pubescent. It was found in a bush land along Nairobi-Mombasa road; but also one record was found in Kibwesi Forest Reserve.

Taru Hills is impacted by charcoal and farmland extension. However this variety is a resilient taxon so may not be significantly affected by these threats. Kibwezi forest is now leased to Sheldrick Wildlife Foundation and there is now a high density of elephants which eat Cissus sp.

There is no information on the use and trade of this variety.

No collections of this variety are recorded in ex situ conservation. This taxon is found in Kibwezi FR.