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Scientific Name | Sorocephalus alopecurus Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Woolly-stalk Clusterhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(ii) |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/10 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo & D. Raimondo |
Justification | Sorocephalus alopecurus is a restricted mountain endemic from the Fynbos Biome in South Africa. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 16 km². Three subpopulations occur at two threat-based locations and the total population is estimated to consist of fewer than 1000 mature individuals, with over 90% of the population known from one subpopulation that occurs at Nooitgedaght farm. The population is suspected to be declining as inferred from ongoing habitat degradation due to alien plant invasions. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criteria B and C. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is known from Riviersonderend Mountains, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | This species is restricted to south-facing sandstone slopes, occurring at altitudes of 450-800 m.a.s.l. 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 |
| This species' habitat is currently not transformed, however invasive alien plant species pose a significant threat, its habitat is currently experiencing ongoing decline as a result of the spread of invasive hakea and pine species. |
Population |
A naturally rare species known from over a range of 7 km. Based on protea atlas data collected between 1996 and 2002 there are three subpopulations: Wittewater (about a dozen plants at a single location just east of Elandskloof in 2001; Nooitgedacht (several hundred plants in isolated patches over a 1.5 km long range, still extant in 2015 based on an iNaturalist record), and Kromdraai (a patch of 5 plants in 1994). The total population is suspected to be less than 1000 mature individuals.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| The largest subpopulation is just outside of the Riviersonderend Nature Reserve, with a small portion of the population, and the isolated outliers within the reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Sorocephalus alopecurus Rourke | EN B1ac(iv)+2ac(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Sorocephalus alopecurus Rourke | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Sorocephalus alopecurus Rourke | 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.
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. & Raimondo, D. 2020. Sorocephalus alopecurus Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/18 |
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