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Scientific Name | Spatalla mollis R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Spatalla brachyloba E.Phillips |
Common Names | Woolly Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii,iv,v)+2ab(iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/04/07 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali, L. von Staden & I. Ebrahim |
Justification | Spatalla mollis has a highly restricted distribution range in South Africa, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 588 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 192-196 km². It is known from 10 locations. There is continuing degradation of suitable habitat due to competition from alien invasive plants and inappropriate fire management in some parts of the range. Alien invasive ants are likely to be a threat by displacing native ant species that disperse and store seeds underground. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa, and occurs from the Hottentots Holland to Kleinmond Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows in peaty soils near mountain streams in sandstone fynbos, at 200-920 m. 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 insects. |
Threats |
| About 20% of the species' habitat has been lost in the past. Loss is due to timber plantations and fruit orchards. Habitat loss to timber plantations may have caused the loss of some subpopulations in the past, but timber plantations are no longer expanding in the Western Cape, however, pine seedlings escaping into adjoining natural vegetation are threatening to outcompete native species.
Alien invasive ants are likely to be a threat by 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 if there is no soil-stored seed bank to regenerate from post fire. |
Population |
Plants grow in groups and are always encountered as scattered colonies. Almost 50% of the subpopulations are small and isolated, and the largest subpopulation, near Kleinmond has over 5000 estimated mature individuals. The population is declining due to habitat degradation by alien invasive plants and inappropriate fire management.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is found in the Groenlandberg, Hottentot Holland and Kogelberg nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla mollis R.Br. | Rare | 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. & Ebrahim, I. 2020. Spatalla mollis R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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