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Scientific Name | Serruria triternata (Thunb.) R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Serruria anethifolia Salisb. ex Knight |
Common Names | Tulbagh Spiderhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/02 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & D. Raimondo |
Justification | Serruria triternata is a localized endemic, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 92 km². The population occurs at between seven and 10 threat defined locations and is declining due to competition from alien invasive plants. It therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species has a very limited distribution occurring on the Elandskloof Mountains, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It is largely confined to Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos. 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 |
| At least 6% of this species' habitat is transformed, predominantly to pine plantations in the past, but plantations are no longer expanding, and therefore this threat has ceased. Pine plantations are however a major source of alien invasive plants, particularly escaped pine seedlings that are invading surrounding native vegetation, and outcompeting native species when they become dense.
Alien invasive pines and hakeas are present throughout this species range and are becoming dense in some parts of the range and are causing this species to decline. It is also potentially threatened by too frequent fires and drought related mortality events. |
Population |
Serruria triternata occurs as extensive subpopulations within its range. It is known from between seven and 10 threat defined locations and the population is declining due to competition from invasive alien invasive plants.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It occurs within the Waterval and Haweqwa nature reserves, however the management of invasive species in these reserves is challenged by dwindeling financial resources to support reserve management. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria triternata (Thunb.) R.Br. | NT D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Serruria triternata (Thunb.) R.Br. | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Serruria triternata (Thunb.) R.Br. | Rare | 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. & Raimondo, D. 2020. Serruria triternata (Thunb.) R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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