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Scientific Name | Spatalla parilis Salisb. ex Knight |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Spatalla bolusii E.Phillips, Spatalla bombycina Salisb. ex Knight |
Common Names | Spike Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(iii,v)+2b(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/04/08 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Spatalla parilis has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1697 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 248 km². It is still common within its range, occurring at more than 10 locations, a continuing decline is inferred from ongoing habitat degradation due to competition from alien invasive plants. 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 is known from a restricted distribution in the mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, occurring along the Hottentots Holland and Riviersonderend mountains to the Langeberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in peaty soils on cool, south-facing sandstone slopes, at 300-1400 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 4% of this species' habitat is already irreversibly modified predominantly due to timber plantations. Habitat loss continues, causing a slow sporadic decline.
Field observations indicate that alien invasive plants are spreading in large densities into species' habitat in the Langeberg and Riviersonderend mountains, and are outcompeting this species. The habitat is also likely to be degraded by inappropriate fire management.
Another potential threat is 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 if there is no soil-stored seed bank to regenerate from post fire. |
Population |
Small scattered colonies of this species are more common in the east (Langeberg) of the distribution range, and rare in the west (Hottentots Holland and Riviersonderend mountains). The population is inferred to be declining due to degradation by alien invasive plants.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla parilis Salisb. ex Knight | Least Concern | 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. Spatalla parilis Salisb. ex Knight. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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