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Scientific Name | Leucadendron linifolium (Jacq.) R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucadendron fusciflorum (Jacq.) R.Br., Leucadendron longicaule (Salisb. ex Knight) I.Williams, Leucadendron tortum R.Br. |
Common Names | Line-leaf Conebush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(ii,iii,v)+2b(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/06/13 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucadendron linifolium has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 13 229-15 792 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 1104-1108 km². It is declining due to competition from alien invasive plants, agriculture, wetland drainage, groundwater extraction and wildflower harvesting, but is still relatively common, occurring at more than 10 locations. Therefore it nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs in southern parts of Western Cape Province, South Africa, from Cape Flats to Riversdale. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Dune Strandveld, Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Potberg Sandstone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Canca Limestone Fynbos, De Hoop Limestone Fynbos, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos, Potberg Ferricrete Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Albertinia Sand Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos |
Description | It typically occurs on acid and alkaline sands that are seasonally waterlogged and appears to benefit from vegetation that is disturbed, overgrazed or too-frequently burned. 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 |
| At least 31% of this species' habitat is irreversibly modified, predominantly due to habitat loss to coastal development and agricultural expansion. There is slow, sporadic ongoing loss, but more concerning is the fact that the remaining fynbos habitat is densely infested with alien invasive plants that are outcompeting native species. Efforts are ongoing to clear invasive species in protected areas such as De Hoop Nature Reserve and the Agulhas National Park, but is proving extremely difficult due to persistent alien plant seed banks. Outside protected areas invasive plants have in many places completely replaced native species.
Subpopulations have also been lost habitat to wetland drainage for ploughing. Extant subpopulations occurring on fragments are threatened by road verge clearing, groundwater extraction, wild flower harvesting and declining as development disrupts the fresh water drainage patterns of this species' sensitive wetland habitat. |
Population |
It occur as dense isolated stands, and the largest subpopulations is found Agulhas National Park. Despite this species being able to cope with moderate disturbance the overall population is declining due to ongoing habitat loss and severe competition from alien invasive plants.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| This species falls within the following protected areas: Brandfontein-Rietfontein, Renosterkop and TFDC Armscor Private Nature Reserves, and De Hoop Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron linifolium (Jacq.) R.Br. | VU A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Leucadendron linifolium (Jacq.) R.Br. | Not Threatened | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Leucadendron linifolium (Jacq.) R.Br. | Indeterminate | 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.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Leucadendron linifolium (Jacq.) R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/10/08 |
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