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Scientific Name | Sorocephalus scabridus Meisn. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Tulbagh Clusterhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2019/01/30 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo & D. Raimondo |
Justification | Sorocephalus scabridus is a restricted Fynbos mountain endemic with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) of 20 km². It is known from only one location where there is ongoing habitat decline as a result of too frequent fires. It therefore qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Groot Winterhoek Mountains, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows in deep sandy flats among rocks on montane plateaus, 900-1850 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 |
| There is slow ongoing habitat degradation as a result of too frequent fires. The habitat where this species occurs burnt twice within 10 years (2009 and 2017). Natural fire return intervals should be 15-20 years. |
Population |
A localized species known from three subpopulations. The largest one is in Kliphuisvlakte, consisting of approximately 200 individuals, the second and third subpopulations have less than 100 plants. Other historical subpopulations in Sneeugat have not been relocated despite extensive searches. The population trend is suspected to be declining as a result of too frequent fires.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It occurs in the Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Sorocephalus scabridus Meisn. | CR B1ac(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Sorocephalus scabridus Meisn. | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Sorocephalus scabridus Meisn. | Vulnerable | 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. 2019. Sorocephalus scabridus Meisn. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/06/13 |
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