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Scientific Name | Leucadendron olens I.Williams |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Yellow Conebush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2020/03/03 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucadendron olens is a range restricted species with and extent of occurrence (EOO) of 70 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 60 km², it is known from three locations and is potentially threatened by competition from alien invasive plants across its range. It therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Leucadendron olens is endemic to the Outeniqua Mountains, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | This species occurs in dry sandstone fynbos on lower north slopes. 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 dioecious, with wind-pollinated male and female flowers occurring on separate plants. |
Threats |
| A small percentage of this species' habitat was lost to road construction in the past. There has however not been any new habitat loss since 1990 and most of it is now protected in Doringrivier Wilderness Area. Alien invasive wattles and pines are present in low densities within its habitat, and are likely to outcompete native species in places. There has been efforts to clear invasive plants, but eradication is proving difficult due to persistent seed banks, from which invasive wattles and pines regenerate following natural wildfires. |
Population |
Leucadendron olens is a localized species and the population is dense within its preferred habitat. There are 13 subpopulations the largest has more than 20 000 mature individuals. The population is not currently declining, but could decline in future if low densities of alien invasive plants currently present in its habitat are not controlled.
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Population trend | Stable |
Conservation |
| It is largely confined to the Doringrivier Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron olens I.Williams | NT D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Leucadendron olens I.Williams | Vulnerable | 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 olens I.Williams. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/22 |
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