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Scientific Name | Sorocephalus pinifolius (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Sorocephalus imberbis R.Br., Sorocephalus longifolius (Meisn.) E.Phillips |
Common Names | Long-leaf Clusterhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2019/01/30 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, D. Raimondo & N.A. Helme |
Justification | Sorocephalus pinifolius is a localized Fynbos mountain endemic with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (EOO) of 48 km². The population that occurs at three locations is declining as a result of competition with invasive alien plant species, too frequent fires and browsing. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Riviersonderend Mountains, of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on cool, south-facing sandstone slopes, 450-800 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 |
| Its habitat is currently experiencing ongoing decline as a result of the spread of invasive hakea and pine species. It is also threatened by browsing (agent unknown) and too frequent fires. |
Population |
There are three subpopulations: one at Esperance above Grootvlei has several hundred plants over a 1.5 km long area and occurs as localized patches. A second occurs at Tierhoek where there were around 100 plants in an 800 m area in 1997. The last subpopulation occurs at Dassiedale (Appelskraal and Morningstar) where there are only two small stands of localized plants typically less than 10. The population is declining. Dead plants have been observed in the past few years and posted on iNaturalist.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Two subpopulations occur in the Riviersonderend Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Sorocephalus pinifolius (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke | EN B1ac(iv)+2ac(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Sorocephalus pinifolius (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke | Endangered | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Sorocephalus pinifolius (Salisb. ex Knight) 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.
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., Raimondo, D. & Helme, N.A. 2019. Sorocephalus pinifolius (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/24 |
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