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Scientific Name | Protea caffra Meisn. subsp. falcata (Beard) M.Lötter |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Protea rhodantha Hook.f. (in part), Protea rhodantha Hook.f. var. falcata Beard |
Common Names | Sickle-leaved Protea (e), Sickle-leaved Sugarbush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened A2c |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/28 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali, M. Lötter & J.E. Burrows |
Justification | Protea caffra subsp. falcata has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 905 km² and an area of occupancy of 40 km². The population has declined by an estimated 25-29% in the past three generations as a result of habitat loss to forestry plantations. It therefore qualifies for listing as Near Threatened under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | Not endemic to South Africa |
Provincial distribution | Mpumalanga |
Range | This taxon occurs in eastern South Africa, in the Barberton area of the Mpumalanga Province and also in Eswatini. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Barberton Montane Grassland, KaNgwane Montane Grassland |
Description | It occurs in grasslands and open woodlands. It is a long-lived taxon, and survives fires by resprouting from aerial stems. Wind-dispersed seeds are stored in fire-resistant inflorescences, and released after fires. It is pollinated by birds. |
Threats |
| A total of 29% of this subspecies' habitat in the Barberton Mountains has been lost to commercial timber plantations in the past. Loss is ongoing with 2% of its habitat lost between 1990 and 2014. There is no significant ongoing expansion of plantations, but plantations are major sources of alien invasive plants that spread into adjacent native vegetation. If these are not controlled, they are likely to increase in density and eventually outcompete this subspecies. |
Population |
A population decline of 25-29% is inferred from a 29% loss of this species' habitat that has occurred in the past three generations. Forestry plantations were established from 1945 onwards and this species has a generation length in excess of 50 years.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Protea caffra Meisn. subsp. falcata (Beard) M.Lötter | Least Concern | 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.
Schmidt, E., Lotter, M. and McCleland, W. 2002. Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. Jacana, Johannesburg.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H., Lötter, M. & Burrows, J.E. 2020. Protea caffra Meisn. subsp. falcata (Beard) M.Lötter. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/08 |
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