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Scientific Name | Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron (L.) Druce subsp. canaliculatum (H.Buek ex Meisn.) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Grey-snakeskin Pincushion (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A2c+4c |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/23 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron subsp. canaliculatum is sparsely distributed across Hopefield, Atlantis and Cape lowlands, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 10 275 -10 388 km². The population continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. A population reduction of 41-54% over the past three generations 100-300 years is inferred from habitat loss data. Projecting one generation into the future this subspecies will experience at least a 48-56% reduction over a three generation time period (two generations in the past and one in the future). It is thus listed as Endangered under criterion A. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This subspecies is endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa, occurring at Piketberg, Hopefield, Cape Flats, Riebeek-Kasteel and Breede River Valley. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Saldanha Flats Strandveld, Swartland Granite Renosterveld, Swartland Silcrete Renosterveld, Swartland Alluvium Renosterveld, Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos, Breede Sand Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, Atlantis Sand Fynbos, Hopefield Sand Fynbos, Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos, Swartland Alluvium Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos |
Description | It is found on flats with deep sandy soils, 20-600 m. It is a long-lived taxon, with a generation length of 50-100 years, and survives fires by resprouting from underground boles or rootstocks. 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 insects. |
Threats |
| This subspecies is known historically from a large number of records scattered over a wide area. At least 54% of this taxon's habitat is irreversibly modified, predominantly to urban expansion, suburban and smallholding development in Cape Town and surrounding and agriculture (cereals and vines).
Recent field observations indicate that it still persists at many locations, in the Atlantis and Hopefield, although subpopulations in these areas are becoming increasingly fragmented due to habitat loss to agriculture expansion and other developments. Subpopulations are subjected to habitat degradation due to alien invasive plants and inappropriate fire management.
It is potentially vulnerable to alien invasive ant species that are displacing native ant species. Invasive ants do not perform the function of indigenous ants, which is to bury this species' seeds in their nests where they are protected from fire. Large scale ant invasions could lead to population collapse over the longterm if there is no soil-stored seed bank to regenerate from post fire. |
Population |
Scattered plants occur in sparse populations in Hopefield, Atlantis and Cape Flats Sand Fynbos. It has declined significantly in its habitat, and a population reduction of 41-54% is estimated from habitat loss over the past three generations. If recent rates of habitat loss are projected into the future, a population reduction of 50-56% is expected to occur within three generations including two generations in the past, and one projected into the future.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Conserved at Riverlands and Kalabaskraal Nature Reserve, 6BOD and Plattekloof Natural Heritage sites. |
Notes |
| This is a variable taxon: Although Rourke (1972) could find no pattern, the narrowest leaf form occurs predominantly on granite: a study of the subpopulation patterns should be done while subpopulations still exist. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron (L.) Druce subsp. canaliculatum (H.Buek ex Meisn.) Rourke | VU A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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.
Rourke, J.P. 1972. Taxonomic studies on Leucospermum R.Br. Journal of South African Botany Supplement 8:1-194.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron (L.) Druce subsp. canaliculatum (H.Buek ex Meisn.) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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