| Scientific Name | Protea laurifolia Thunb. | Higher Classification | Dicotyledons | Family | PROTEACEAE | Synonyms | Protea comigera Stapf, Protea marginata Thunb. | Common Names | Grey-leaf Sugarbsh (e), Laurel Sugarbush (e), Louriersuikerbos (a), Lourier-suikerbos (a), Suikerbos (a), Suikerkan (a) |
National Status | Status and Criteria | Least Concern | Assessment Date | 2019/06/03 | Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden | Justification | Protea laurifolia is endemic to the mountains of the Northern and Western Cape provinces, South Africa. It is widespread, and common within its habitat, and not yet in danger of extinction. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution | Endemism | South African endemic | Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape | Range | It is found from the Bokkeveld Escarpment to Hottentots-Holland and Riviersonderend Mountains, extending eastwards to the Witteberg and Anysberg, in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology | Major system | Terrestrial | Major habitats | Kouebokkeveld Shale Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos, Breede Quartzite Fynbos, Matjiesfontein Quartzite Fynbos, Swartruggens Quartzite Fynbos, Montagu Shale Fynbos, Greyton Shale Fynbos, Elgin Shale Fynbos, Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos, Kouebokkeveld Alluvium Fynbos, Matjiesfontein Shale Fynbos, South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, Robertson Granite Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos, Breede Sand Fynbos, Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos, Central Coastal Shale Band Vegetation, Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation, Northern Inland Shale Band Vegetation, Swartland Alluvium Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos, Breede Shale Fynbos, Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos, Swartland Shale Renosterveld, Breede Shale Renosterveld, Montagu Shale Renosterveld, Matjiesfontein Shale Renosterveld, Ceres Shale Renosterveld, Citrusdal Shale Renosterveld, Nieuwoudtville Shale Renosterveld, Vanrhynsdorp Shale Renosterveld, Swartland Granite Renosterveld, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Hex Sandstone Fynbos, North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Nardouw Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, South Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos, South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, Agter-Sederberg Shrubland, South Hex Sandstone Fynbos | Description | It occurs on sandstone slopes, often found in dry sandy or granite soils, 100-1200 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 | | At least 27% of this species habitat has been lost to agricultural expansion and timber plantations in the past. The plantations are however no longer expanding, and are being phased out, and therefore this threat has largely ceased. However, escaping pine seedlings are spreading into this species habitat in some parts of the range, and may pose a future threat if not managed. |
Population | This is a very social species, typically forming an open woodland over vast areas. Subpopulations are large, and the population is not currently declining.
| Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Protea laurifolia Thunb. | Least Concern | 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.
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.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation | | Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2019. Protea laurifolia Thunb. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/10/06 |
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