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Scientific Name | Serruria candicans R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Shiny Spiderhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2020/06/26 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Serruria candicans has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 793 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 168-172 km². It is known from between seven and ten locations that continue to decline due to habitat degradation by alien invasive plants. About 79% of subpopulations known from herbarium records are now locally extinct due to agricultural and industrial development. This species therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species has a limited distribution range in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is known from Elandskloof to Slanghoek Mountains, and is also found on the Paardeberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Boland Granite Fynbos, Swartland Alluvium Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in fynbos and renosterveld mosaic vegetation, on flats, granite and sandy slopes, at 50-700 m. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. Seeds are released after ripening and are dispersed by ants to their underground nests, where they are protected from predation and fire. It is pollinated by insects. |
Threats |
| At least 47% of this species' habitat has been lost to agriculture, predominantly wheat cultivation and vineyards, and to urban and industrial developments. Alien invasive acacias and pines are spreading uncontrolled through parts of this species' range. If left unmanaged, they are likely to rapidly outcompete this species, increasing its risk of extinction. |
Population |
Serruria candicans is known from fewer than 10 remaining subpopulations within a 46 km range. Subpopulations of this species are very large, and consist each of a few thousands plants. About 79% of subpopulations known through herbarium records are now locally extinct, some of this loss took place earlier than 1960 (three generations). The population continues to decline due to ongoing habitat degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is protected within the Elandskloof, Voelvlei and Soetendal nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria candicans R.Br. | EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Serruria candicans R.Br. | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Serruria candicans R.Br. | Vulnerable | Hall et al. (1980) | |
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.
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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. Serruria candicans R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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