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Scientific Name | Leucadendron procerum (Salisb. ex Knight) I.Williams |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucadendron concinnum R.Br. |
Common Names | Ivory Conebush (e), Kinabossie (a), Langbeentjie (a), Lankey Conebush (e), Pinangbossie (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1b(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2019/02/26 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucadendron procerum has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 6360-6751 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 768-788 km². The population is severely fragmented and there is a continuing decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It therefore qualifies as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | Leucadendron procerum is restricted to the Cape Floristic Region in South Africa, occurring in the Cedarberg, Gifberg and Sandveld centres of endemism. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Agter-Sederberg Shrubland, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Nardouw Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos, Swartruggens Quartzite Fynbos, Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos |
Description | This species is found in deep sands, slopes 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 |
| It has lost most of its habitat to rapidly expanding crop cultivation (Rooibos tea, potatoes, and cereals) on deep sands that are preferentially farmed. All subpopulations west of the Olifants River are fragmented remnants due to agriculture. Habitat loss continues due to ongoing agriculture expansion. Mismanagement of remaining fragments is an ongoing threat, particularly inappropriate fire management and infestation by alien invasive plants. Plants are retained in natural vegetation strips between crop fields and are exposed to agricultural chemicals used. Groundwater extraction and increasing prolonged droughts are likely to lead to mortality events. |
Population |
This is a localized species in suitable habitat, with dense populations of several dozen to hundreds of individual plants. More than 50% of the population, however occurs within subpopulations that are small and isolated, and therefore the population is considered severely fragmented. Population decline continues due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| A few subpopulations border on the Cedarberg Wilderness Area and in the Op de Berg Private Nature Reserve, otherwise the majority of the population is not conserved. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron procerum (Salisb. ex Knight) I.Williams | VU A4c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
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.
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. & von Staden, L. 2019. Leucadendron procerum (Salisb. ex Knight) I.Williams. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/12 |
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