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Scientific Name | Leucospermum tottum (L.) R.Br. var. tottum |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Kruppelluisie (a), Pienkspeldekussing (a), Ribbon Pincushion (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(iii,v)+2b(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/06/24 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucospermum tottum var. tottum has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 5804 km² and an area of occupancy of 308-312 km². The population is experiencing ongoing decline as a result of drought, and from frequent fires and spreading alien invasive plants. There are however between 20 and 25 extant 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 taxon has a restricted distribution occurring in the mountains of Western Cape Province, South Africa, from the Cederberg, Koue Bokkeveld, Groot Winterhoek, Skurweberg, Hex River to Du Toit's Kloof Mountains and Piketberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Hex Sandstone Fynbos, North Hex Sandstone Fynbos, Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos |
Description | It grows in sandstone fynbos, usually associated with rocky outcrops. 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 |
| This taxon appears to be sensitive to drought, and mass mortality in some subpopulations has been observed. Drought sensitivity means that ongoing groundwater extraction outside nature reserves is a significant threat. Too frequent fire is also contributing to decline. Furthermore it is threatened by competition from alien invasive plants that are spreading and increasing in density in the Hawequas Mountains. |
Population |
It usually occurs as scattered individuals, but dense, isolated patches occur at the southern end of the distribution range. It is extinct at Kleinfontein, Swedish Grave at Wuppertal, Ezelbank and Grootberg in the north and Kleinvlei and Sandriver in the Koue Bokkeveld. It has hardly been recorded on the Hex River Mountains in the past 30 years however there are many herbarium records from these mountains suggesting that these subpopulations have likely declined. About 60% of subpopulations are severely fragmented, but most of these are in reserves where there are less threats. The population continues to decline due to habitat degradation and response to drought but at this stage it is impossible to quantify the proportion of decline that has taken place over the past three generations and it is not suspected to be more then 20%. Ongoing monitoring of populations is required to determine how predicted aridification linked to climate change will impact it.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| This taxon is conserved in the Groenlandberg, Kogelberg, Houwhoek, Fernkloof, Salmonsdam, and Heuningberg nature reserves and in the Groot Hagelkraal Private Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum tottum (L.) R.Br. var. tottum | NT A2c | 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. 2020. Leucospermum tottum (L.) R.Br. var. tottum. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/18 |
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