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Scientific Name | Leucospermum truncatulum (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucospermum buxifolium R.Br. |
Common Names | Oval-leaf 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 truncatulum has a restricted distribution, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3392 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 1024-1028 km², and is known from 20-30 locations. Although most remaining subpopulations occur in sites safe from habitat loss for crop cultivation it continues to be threatened by alien acacia, hakea and pine invasion, wild flower harvesting and protea cultivation. It therefore 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 is endemic to coastal mountain ranges in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, occurring from Kogelberg to Soetanysberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | It grows in sandstone fynbos on sand slopes and flats, at an altitude of 20-700 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 insects. |
Threats |
| About 32% of this species' habitat is irreversibly modified, predominantly due to historical loss to protea orchards and cereals cultivation. Loss continues, with very low level of ongoing loss recorded in recent years (3% loss between 1990 and 2014).
It is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation due to expanding agriculture, competition from unmanaged alien invasive plants, particularly acacias, hakeas and pines. It is also threatened by wild flower harvesting for the cut flower trade. |
Population |
This species occur over a 110 km-long range from Nuweberg to Soetanysberg. It is a social species, usually forming extensive communities within its habitat. The population continues to decline due to harvesting, habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is protected within the Groenlandberg, Kogelberg, Houwhoek, Fernkloof, Salmonsdam, and Heuningberg Nature Reserves and at Groot Hagelkraal Private Nature Reserve. It is considered vulnerable to harvesting for the cut flower trade and monitoring of the impacts of this harvesting is required (Privett et al. 2005). |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum truncatulum (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke | NT A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
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.
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.
Privett, S., Bailey, R., Raimondo, D., Kirkwood, D. and Euston-Brown, D. 2005. A vulnerability index for rare and harvested plant species on the Agulhas Plain. Flower Valley Conservation Trust.
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 truncatulum (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/13 |
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