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Scientific Name | Leucadendron coniferum (L.) Meisn. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucadendron inflexum Link (in part), Leucadendron sabulosum T.M.Salter |
Common Names | Duin-geelbos (a), Dune Conebush (e), Dune Yellowbush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(iii,v)+2b(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/20 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucadendron coniferum has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 10 446-10 500 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 892-896 km². It is declining due to urban expansion, agriculture, competition from alien invasive plants, too frequent fires and harvesting, but is still relatively common, occurring at more than 10 locations. Therefore it nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B as is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the coastal areas of Western Cape Province, South Africa, where it occurs from Cape Peninsula to Soetanysberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Dune Strandveld, Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, De Hoop Limestone Fynbos, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos, Albertinia Sand Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in sand fynbos on the lowlands, bordering on strandveld in some situations. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. Wind-dispersed seeds are stored in fire-resistant inflorescences, and released after fires. It is dioecious, with wind-pollinated male and female flowers occurring on separate plants. |
Threats |
| A very small proportion (16%) of this species' habitat has been lost to coastal development between Hout Bay and Agulhas, and expansion of agriculture in the past. Alien invasive plants have decimated subpopulations at Walker Bay, Pearly Beach, Ratelrivier, and Agulhas. Agriculture (cereals) has destroyed stands in the Elim basin and Bredasdorp-Arniston area. However, extensive stands still exist.
It is currently threatened by competition from alien invasive Acacia, Leptospermum and Eucalyptus species across it range, and are outcompeting native species when they become dense. Too frequent fire is causing ongoing habitat degradation in the Cape Peninsula, and as a reseeder, it is likely to decline and disappear in areas that are repeatedly burnt before plants reach reproductive maturity. It is also threatened by wildflower harvesting for flower cut industry. |
Population |
Subpopulations are generally large, dense, and isolated stands are typical of this species. The population is declining due to habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Present in Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park, Groot Hagelkraal, Brandfontein-Rietfontein, Renosterkop, and Armscor Private Nature Reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron coniferum (L.) Meisn. | VU A2c+3c+4c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Goldblatt, P. and Manning, J.C. 2000. Cape Plants: A conspectus of the Cape Flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Raimondo, D., von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. and Manyama, P.A. 2009. Red List of South African Plants. Strelitzia 25. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Rebelo, T. 2001. Sasol Proteas: A field guide to the proteas of southern Africa. (2nd ed.). Fernwood Press, Vlaeberg, Cape Town.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Leucadendron coniferum (L.) Meisn. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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