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Scientific Name | Leucadendron laxum I.Williams |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Bredasdorp Conebush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A2c |
Assessment Date | 2020/06/10 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucadendron laxum has a restricted range with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1295 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 512 km². A population reduction of over 50% is estimated based on habitat loss in the past 45 years (generation length 15-20 years). Most remaining subpopulations occur on small fragments and disturbed watercourses between agricultural fields. It continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss to vineyards. Alien plant invasion is threatening this species at a number of sites, but is being cleared. It is also threatened by wild flower harvesting, eutrophication, too frequent fire, overgrazing and road verge clearing. It therefore qualifies as Endangered under criterion A. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species has a restricted distribution occurring on the Elim Flats from Hermanus to Agulhas, in the Western Cape Province, of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Dune Strandveld, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on level, damp ground at the bottom of valleys. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. 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 |
| A total of 53% of Leucadendron laxum's habitat has been severely transformed by agriculture, mainly to cereal, vines and pasture fields, and dams built for farm irrigation. Most of the remaining subpopulations occur in remnants and in the margins between fields, along watercourses and in road verges. The remnant fragments continue to decline due to wetland drainage, clearing of road verges, degradation by grazing livestock, eutrophication, and herbicide drifting onto small fragments from surrounding agricultural fields. It also threatened by heavy browsing by cattle and wild harvesting for cut flower industry.
Subpopulations are under severe threats from invasion by woody alien plants especially acacias. Extensive clearing efforts of aliens by South Africa's extended public works programme, Working for Water, in Nuwejaars River around Elim has restored parts of this species habitat, but ongoing management and clearing is needed to prevent reinvasions. |
Population |
Subpopulations of this species are naturally dense, and this species would have once be extensive and common throughout the Elim flats region. More than 50% of the former population has been lost to crop cultivation and the ongoing degradation of wetland habitats within the past 45 years (three generations). Continuing population decline is inferred from ongoing loss and degradation of its habitat.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Present in the greater Brandfontein-Rietfontein Private Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron laxum I.Williams | EN A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Leucadendron laxum I.Williams | Endangered | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
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.
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., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Leucadendron laxum I.Williams. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/09/14 |
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