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Scientific Name | Leucadendron spissifolium (Salisb. ex Knight) I.Williams subsp. spissifolium |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucadendron glabrum R.Br., Leucadendron marginatum (Willd.) Link, Leucadendron minus E.Phillips & Hutch. et var., Leucadendron minus E.Phillips & Hutch. var. glabrescens E.Phillips & Hutch., Leucadendron riparium T.M.Salter et var., Leucadendron riparium T.M.Salter var. collinum T.M.Salter |
Common Names | Common Spear-leaf Conebush (e), Knopbos (a), Vleigeelbos (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2019/06/20 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | This subspecies is widespread in the mountains of the Western Cape (Extent of Occurrence 65 328 km²), and although a small proportion of its habitat has been lost, and there are continuing threats across most of its range, it is not yet in danger of extinction. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | It is endemic in the mountains of Western Cape, South Africa where it occurs from Gifberg and Cederberg to the Cape Peninsula and Kogelberg, extending eastwards to the Langeberg at Kampscheberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Northern Inland Shale Band Vegetation, Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation, Central Coastal Shale Band Vegetation, Swellendam Silcrete Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos, Robertson Granite Fynbos, Kouebokkeveld Shale Fynbos, Breede Shale Fynbos, Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos, Elgin Shale Fynbos, Greyton Shale Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, South Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos, Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Hex Sandstone Fynbos, South Hex Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in damp sandstone soils on south-facing slopes, 0-1600 m. It is a long-lived subspecies, and survives fires by resprouting from underground boles or rootstocks. 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 17% of this subspecies' habitat is irreversibly modified, and loss continues, with 2% loss recorded between 1990 and 2014. The loss is predominantly due to timber plantations, fruit orchard, vineyards, and cultivation of Rooibos tea.
Recent field observations indicate that subpopulations on the southern slopes of the Riviersonderend, Langeberg, and Caledon Swartberg mountains are threatened by competition from spreading, unmanaged alien invasive plants. If these are not urgently controlled, they are likely to rapidly increase in density and outcompete native species. |
Population |
Leucadendron spissifolium subsp. spissifolium occurs as scattered plants in suitable habitat. There are 188 subpopulations that have been recorded. The majority of these are large, and only 13 are small and isolated.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron spissifolium (Salisb. ex Knight) I.Williams subsp. spissifolium | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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 spissifolium (Salisb. ex Knight) I.Williams subsp. spissifolium. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/15 |
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