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Scientific Name | Protea laetans L.E.Davidson |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Protea gaguedi J.F.Gmel. subsp. laetans (L.E.Davidson) Beard |
Common Names | Blyde Protea (e), Blyde Sugarbush (e), Blyde-suikerbos (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2019/10/14 |
Assessor(s) | M. Lötter, A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Protea laetans has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 164 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) 112 km². It is currently known from four locations and continues to decline due to habitat degradation from too infrequent fires, and collecting for firewood. The largest subpopulation has been incorporated into a holiday resort and it is highly unlikely that its natural fire cycle will be maintained. Consequently, it is unlikely that future recruitment will occur here unless special measures are taken. Poor habitat management is causing the population to decline, and this species therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Limpopo, Mpumalanga |
Range | This species is endemic to the Drakensberg escarpment of Limpopo and Mpumalanga, from Mogolopo to Bourke's Luck. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Northern Escarpment Quartzite Sourveld |
Description | It grows in grassland on quartzite soils, at 1000-1600 m. It is a long-lived species (generation length 50-100 years), and survives fires by resprouting from underground boles or rootstocks. Wind-dispersed seeds are stored in fire-resistant inflorescences, and released after fires. It is pollinated by birds. |
Threats |
| This species is threatened by too infrequent fires as the largest subpopulation occurs near holiday resorts where the natural fire cycle is not maintained by resort management. Plants become too old and lose vigour, and they can be smothered by other plants, all of which reduces the number of new seedlings. Also, plants are collected and used for firewood. Expansion of the holiday resort is likely to be a threat. |
Population |
Protea laetans is known from a few stands of several thousand plants. Five subpopulations are known, and the largest is found at Forever Resort Blyde Canyon consisting over 10 000 mature individuals. The population is inferred to be declining due to inappropriate fire management.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Protea laetans L.E.Davidson | EN B1ab(iii,iv)+2ab(iii,iv) | 2020.1 | | Protea laetans L.E.Davidson | VU B1ab(iv)+2ab(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Protea laetans L.E.Davidson | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Protea laetans L.E.Davidson | Uncertain | Hall et al. (1980) | |
Bibliography |
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
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 |
| Lötter, M., Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2019. Protea laetans L.E.Davidson. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/13 |
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