|
Scientific Name | Leucadendron corymbosum P.J.Bergius |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Swartveld Conebush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(iii,v)+2b(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/22 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucadendron corymbosum is locally abundant but has a limited distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3187-3222 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 356-360 km², it is known from more than 10 fragmented locations. Population reduction based on habitat loss is difficult to estimate as this species occurs in ecotonal areas, and also due to its ability to recolonize fallow fields. Habitat degradation continues as a result of wetland drainage, alien plant invasion, road verge clearing and trampling by livestock. Therefore it nearly meets the criteria thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species has a restricted distribution occurring from Michell's Pass to Paarl, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Swartland Shale Renosterveld, Breede Shale Renosterveld, Swartland Granite Renosterveld, Atlantis Sand Fynbos, Swartland Alluvium Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in wet clay soils along valley bottoms, 100-400 m. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. Seeds are stored in fire-resistant inflorescences, and released after fires. It is dioecious, with insect-pollinated male and female flowers occurring on separate plants. |
Threats |
| About 72% of this species' habitat is already irreversibly modified, predominantly due to historical habitat loss to urban and agricultural (vines, cereals) expansion on lowland alluvial soils in the Breede River Valley, Klapmuts to Berg River Valley, and outside Riverlands Nature Reserve. Although there is no significant loss of habitat recorded between 1990 and 2014, there is ongoing habitat degradation.
Currently, it is threatened by competition from alien invasive plants, mostly acacias that are spreading and increasing in density in parts of its range. It is further threatened by habitat degradation from clearing of road verges, grazing and browsing by livestock. Increasing prolonged droughts in the Western Cape are increasing pressure on groundwater resources, on which this species is dependent. |
Population |
Leucadendron corymbosum is locally abundant, and tends to be weedy along wet valleys and road verges. Seeds germinate well in ploughed land, but repeated ploughing kills them before adequate seed set takes place. It is currently known from 52 dense subpopulations, two of the largest subpopulations are represented in Riverlands and Elandskloof reserves managed by CapeNature, the local conservation authority, and Romansrivier Nature Reserve. Although it occurs in dense stands, it remains in fragments that are severely degraded, and the population is declining.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Two large subpopulations, respectively, occur in Riverlands and Elandskloof/Kranskop Nature Reserves. The status of the Romansrivier Natural Heritage Site should be secured. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron corymbosum P.J.Bergius | VU A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Leucadendron corymbosum P.J.Bergius | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Leucadendron corymbosum P.J.Bergius | Vulnerable | Hall et al. (1980) | |
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.
Hall, A.V. 1982. Rare plants Gazette No 1. February 1982. Bolus Herbarium, University of Cape Town.
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical 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.
|
Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Leucadendron corymbosum P.J.Bergius. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
Comment on this assessment
