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Scientific Name | Leucospermum winteri Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Riversdale Pincushion (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened D2 |
Assessment Date | 2019/09/17 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucospermum winteri is a localized species, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 149 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 112 km². It is known from 8-10 locations and is potentially threatened by invasion of its habitat by alien plants and by too frequent fire. It therefore almost qualifies as Vulnerable against criterion D and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Langeberg Mountains in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, occurring in the Langkloof between Garcia's Pass and the Gourits River Valley. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on summit ridges in sandstone fynbos, 300-1200 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 |
| A small proportion (5%) of this species' habitat has been lost in the past to afforestation. Some parts of the species range have scattered pine and acacia invasive plants that could become problematic in future if left unmanaged. Too frequent fire is considered a potential threat to this reseeder. In 2008, local dieback was observed in the subpopulation that occurs at Garcias Pass however ongoing monitoring in the past 12 years has not observed any additional dieback and the population has recovered, the cause of this dieback is unknown. |
Population |
This species is locally common on summit ridges. There are 32 known subpopulations, from seven locations. The largest occurs at Garcia Nature reserve with over 43 000 individuals. While some dieback took place in this subpopulation in 2008, it has since recovered and the population trend is currently stable.
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Population trend | Stable |
Conservation |
| It is conserved in Garcia, Spioenkop, Paardeberg, Blomberg, and Tygerberg nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum winteri Rourke | NT D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Leucospermum winteri Rourke | Not Threatened | 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.
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 winteri Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/03/27 |
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