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Scientific Name | Leucospermum prostratum (Thunb.) Stapf |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucospermum glomiflorum Salisb. ex Knight |
Common Names | Yellow-trailing Pincushion (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(ii,iii,iv,v)+2b(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/06/23 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucospermum prostratum is endemic to coastal flats from the Fynbos Biome in South Africa. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3118 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 540-552 km². The habitat of this species continue to decline due to alien plant invasion, expanding protea and vineyard cultivation, to date there has been an estimated 15-20% decline in the population over the past three generations (150 years). However this species still occurs widely within its range and persists at more than 10 locations. 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 occurs along the coast of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, from Kogelberg to the Elim Flats. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in deep sandy soils, predominantly on coastal flats, 20-600 m. It is a long-lived species, 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 |
| About 15% of this species' habitat is already irreversibly modified, and loss continues. The main causes of habitat loss are coastal housing developments that has occurred from Rooiels to Hermanus, golf courses, and crop cultivation. It is currently threatened by competition from alien invasive plants (Acacia, Hackea, Eucalyptus and Pinus species); and expanding protea and vineyard cultivation mainly on the Elim Flats. It is potentially threatened by too infrequent fire due fire to exclusion management near coastal developments. |
Population |
This species occurs as scattered plants, and is known from 123 subpopulations. The majority of these are small, with less than 250 plants. A continuing population decline is inferred from ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is conserved within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and at Mt Hebron and Fernkloof Nature Reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum prostratum (Thunb.) Stapf | VU A4c | 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. Leucospermum prostratum (Thunb.) Stapf. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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