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Scientific Name | Protea aurea (Burm.f.) Rourke subsp. potbergensis (Rourke) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Potberg Sugarbush (e), Potberg-suikerbos (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2020/03/26 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Protea aurea subsp. potbergensis is a very localized species, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 40 km². It occurs at two locations and is potentially threatened by too frequent fires and competition from alien plant invasions. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This subspecies is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa where it is restricted to a small area of the Potberg Mountain. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Potberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | This subspecies occurs on upper sandstone slopes, at 250-550 m. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. Wind-dispersed seeds are stored in fire-resistant inflorescences, and released after fires. It is pollinated by birds. |
Threats |
| As a serotinous reseeder which is found in a small area, this subspecies is potentially vulnerable to too frequent fires. Local extinctions can occur if fires repeatedly kill individuals before they reach reproductive maturity. Alien invasive pine and acacias are present within its habitat, and if allowed to become very dense will outcompete this subspecies. |
Population |
This is a social taxon forming sparse to dense stands. There are two known subpopulations, both are estimated to have over 55 000 mature individuals. The population is currently stable.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Protea aurea (Burm.f.) Rourke subsp. potbergensis (Rourke) Rourke | VU D2 | 2020.1 | | Protea caespitosa Andrews | VU B1ac(iv)+2ac(iv) | 2020.1 | | Protea aurea (Burm.f.) Rourke subsp. potbergensis Rourke | NT D2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Protea aurea (Burm.f.) Rourke subsp. potbergensis Rourke | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
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. 2020. Protea aurea (Burm.f.) Rourke subsp. potbergensis (Rourke) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/17 |
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