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Scientific Name | Leucospermum gueinzii Meisn. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Kloof Fountain Pincushion (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2019/09/10 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucospermum gueinzii has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 297 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 96 km², it is known from five locations that continue to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | It is endemic to the Western Cape Province in South Africa, occurring from Jonkershoek to Groenland Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos |
Description | This species occurs on granite-derived clay soils near streams and in kloofs, 300-1000 m. 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 pollinated by birds. |
Threats |
| About 48% of its habitat has been lost to vineyards and afforestation. Plants remain in remnants of natural vegetation and are threatened by degradation of habitat by alien invasive plants (pines and hackeas). Infrequent fires could also be a problem as the habitat may be gradually replaced by thicket species, and not allow the species to regenerate from seed. The alien invasive Argentine Ant also feeds on the elaiosome of seeds, stopping the seeds from being buried by indigenous ants and leaving them exposed to mammal and bird predation (Christain 2001). |
Population |
This species occurs in isolated clumps in moist suitable habitat. It is known from 25 subpopulations from five locations, the largest is found at Helderberg Nature Reserve with more than 10 000 plants. Habitat loss to vineyards and afforestation has reduced this species' population by 15-19% in the past three generations. It continues to decline due to habitat degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is conserved in the Helderberg and Hottentot’s Holland Nature Reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum gueinzii Meisn. | EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Leucospermum gueinzii Meisn. | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Christian, C.E. 2001. Consequences of a biological invasion reveal the importance of mutualism for plant communities. Nature 413:635-639.
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.
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. Leucospermum gueinzii Meisn. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/18 |
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