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Scientific Name | Leucospermum conocarpodendron (L.) H.Buek subsp. conocarpodendron |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucospermum conocarpum (Thunb.) R.Br. |
Common Names | Bobbejaanbos (a), Brandhoutboom (a), Goudblomboom (a), Goudboom (a), Grey Tree-pincushion (e), Kreupelboom (a), Kreupelhout (a), Kreupelhoutboom (a), Monkey Protea (e), Tree Pincushion (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(ii,iii,v)+2b(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/22 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | This subspecies has a very restricted distribution, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 137 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 92 km². The habitat and number of mature individuals continue to decline at between 15 and 20 locations due to alien plant invasion, inappropriate fire management and infrastructure development. Plants also tend to hybridize with planted Leucospermum species from urban gardens. This subspecies therefore almost meets the thresholds for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This subspecies is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, occurring only on the northern Cape Peninsula, from Devil's Peak to Llandudno. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Peninsula Shale Fynbos, Peninsula Granite Fynbos |
Description | It is confined to richer soils, predominantly granites, but also occurs on shales. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. Seeds are released after ripening, and dispersed by ants to their underground nests, where they are protected from predation and fire. It is pollinated by birds. |
Threats |
| Although adequate historical records do not exist, it is certain that this subspecies' range has been reduced by urbanization on the lower slopes of Table Mountain. While most of this subspecies' habitat is now protected and managed for conservation, its proximity to a densely populated urban area makes fire management extremely difficult. Fynbos vegetation on Table Mountain is often set on fire either deliberately or through negligence. Alien invasive plants have been largely cleared from the Cape Peninsula, but there is ongoing degradation of habitat by escaping aliens from nearby forestry and too frequent fires.
This subspecies tends to hybridize with planted Leucospermum species from urban gardens. Hybrids are not easily detected and hybridization will probably go undetected even by experts, however hybrids are not able to produce viable offspring and such subpopulations become evident after hot fires where none of the parent generation survive and there is no recruitment. The alien invasive Argentine Ant also feeds on the elaiosome of seeds, leaving them exposed to mammal and bird predation (Christian, 2001). A natural hybrid subpopulation with subspecies viridum occurs at Little Lions Head and Hout Bay Corner.
Reluctance to allow fires in the area adjacent houses is a further threat, allowing Fynbos to transform to Thicket. |
Population |
This subspecies is locally abundant, dominating plant communities. The total population size is estimated to have over 57 000 mature individuals. It is however declining as a result of ongoing habitat degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum conocarpodendron (L.) H.Buek subsp. conocarpodendron | EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Christian, C.E. 2001. Consequences of a biological invasion reveal the importance of mutualism for plant communities. Nature 413:635-639.
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. Leucospermum conocarpodendron (L.) H.Buek subsp. conocarpodendron. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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