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Scientific Name | Serruria millefolia Salisb. ex Knight |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Millileaf Spiderhead (e), Spiderhead (e), Spinnekopbos (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2019/04/02 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Serruria millefolia has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 4155 km², and area of occupancy (AOO) of 392-396 km². The population is severely fragmented and there is a continuing decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to South Africa, where it occurs from Bokkeveld to Olifants River Mountains in the Western and Northern Cape provinces. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Nardouw Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos, Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in arid sandstone fynbos, on sandy flats and slopes, 200-1100 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 |
| The main threat to Serruria millefolia is habitat loss to agricultural expansion, predominantly rapidly expanding cultivation of the deep sandy soils of the Bokkeveld Escarpment for rooibos tea and potatoes. About 23% of its habitat is already irreversibly modified, and loss continues, and the overall rate of habitat loss recorded between 1990 and 2014 is 3%.
Plants remain in isolated patches between agricultural fields, and are exposed to the agricultural chemicals used. It is also threatened by a lack of fire due to fragmentation of habitat - this is a myrmecochorous species that requires fire to regenerate. Field observations noted presence of alien invasive plants and many plants were senescent. Drought related mortality events are another potential threat. |
Population |
Serruria millefolia is a sparse species over much of its range. It is common on the Gifberg and Nardouw Plateaux where many subpopulations are either adjacent to or in unploughed strips within Rooibos tea plantations. Its preference for deep sands, a favoured rooibos tea habitat, has resulted in its decline. Subpopulations in the south, from the Olifants River Mountains, are scattered and small. As most individuals are in small, isolated subpopulations, the population is considered severely fragmented.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is found in the Cederberg and Bushmanskloof nature reserves. |
Notes |
| The Gifberg summit populations are far more robust and branch more vigorously than forms elsewhere. Subspecific variation in the species should be investigated. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria millefolia Salisb. ex Knight | VU A4c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Serruria millefolia Salisb. ex Knight | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Serruria millefolia Salisb. ex Knight | Indeterminate | 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. 2019. Serruria millefolia Salisb. ex Knight. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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