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Scientific Name | Vexatorella alpina (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucospermum alpinum (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke, Leucospermum alpinum (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke subsp. alpinum, Leucospermum cartilagineum (R.Br.) E.Phillips |
Common Names | Kamiesberg Vexator (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/04/22 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Vexatorella alpina has a very restricted range in the Namaqualand region of South Africa, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 314 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 128 km². It is known from six locations. A continuing decline is inferred from poor recruitment and too frequent fire. It is likely that subpopulations were formerly much larger, as they are confined to pockets of deep sand among granite boulders, with all other surrounding low-lying deep sandy areas ploughed for pasture. It therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to a small area in Namaqualand, at Kamiesberg in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Namaqualand Granite Renosterveld, Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos |
Description | It is largely confined to Kamiesberg Granite Fynbos, among large granite boulders or in the open along the foothills, 1150-1600 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 |
| About 8% of Vexatorella alpina's habitat is already irreversibly modified, and loss continues with 2% recorded between 1990 and 2014. Loss of habitat is due to pasture fields, which have mainly been planted at low altitudes. In the south on Rooiberg and Eselkop by contrast, subpopulations are burned too frequently to enhance vegetation growth for grazing and appear to be declining. Isolated remnants are subjected to inappropriate fire management. |
Population |
This species sometimes forms dense stands, and dominates the flora. The majority of the subpopulations are large. Only six subpopulations are small, and isolated, with less than 100 plants each. Many subpopulations are moribund and consist of senescent adults, sometimes with a few young plants. The population is declining due to ongoing habitat degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is not currently conserved in any formally protected area. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Vexatorella alpina (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke | NT B1ab(iii,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Vexatorella alpina (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke | Vulnerable | 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. Vexatorella alpina (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/18 |
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