|
Scientific Name | Aulax umbellata (Thunb.) R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Aulax cneorifolia Salisb. ex Knight |
Common Names | Broad-leaf Featherbush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2019/11/13 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Aulax umbellata is a widespread and common species. It is declining in parts of its range, but it is not yet in danger of extinction. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it occurs from Kogelberg to the Riviersonderend Mountains and Stilbaai. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Potberg Sandstone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Canca Limestone Fynbos, De Hoop Limestone Fynbos, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Albertinia Sand Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in sandstone and limestone fynbos on mountains and flats. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. Wind-dispersed seeds are stored in fire-resistant inflorescences, and released after fires. It is dioecious, with insect-pollinated male and female flowers occurring on separate plants. |
Threats |
| About 20% of this species' habitat is irreversibly lost, mainly on the coastal lowlands, where ongoing coastal development is causing a continuing decline. The rate of ongoing habitat loss is however very low, with only 1% loss observed over 24 years, and therefore it is unlikely to exceed 30% within three generations.
In the Riversonderend Mountains, on the Caledon Swartberg and on the Agulhas Plain, it is threatened by competition from alien invasive plants. In some areas, invasive species density is so great that native species are disappearing. Field observations also noted too frequent fire as a potential threat at some localities. As a serotinous reseeder, this species is vulnerable to local extinctions if fires kill individuals before they reach reproductive maturity. |
Population |
Within the core area of this species' range, from Betty's Bay to Bredasdorp and Potberg, it is abundant, occurring in extensive stands. It is comparatively rarer in the Riversonderend Mountains and the Canca area between Riversdale and Stilbaai. There are at least 60 extant subpopulations, with at least 13 estimated to consist of over 5000 mature individuals.
Climate change models predicted a population reduction of more than 50% by 2025 (Bomhard et al. 2005), but such drastic declines have not yet materialized. A continuing decline is however inferred from observed ongoing habitat loss.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Aulax umbellata (Thunb.) R.Br. | LC | 2020.1 | | Aulax umbellata (Thunb.) R.Br. | NT A2c+4c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Bomhard, B., Richardson, D.M., Donaldson, J.S., Hughes, G.O., Midgley, G.F., Raimondo, D.C., Rebelo, A.G., Rouget, M. and Thuiller, W. 2005. Potential impacts of future land use and climate change on the Red List status of the Proteaceae in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. Global Change Biology 11(9):1452-1468.
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.
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.
|
Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2019. Aulax umbellata (Thunb.) R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/02/18 |
Comment on this assessment
