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Scientific Name | Vexatorella amoena (Rourke) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucospermum alpinum (Salisb. ex Knight) Rourke subsp. amoenum Rourke |
Common Names | Swartruggens Vexator (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2019/07/01 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Vexatorella amoena has a restricted distribution range in the Western Cape Province, South Africa, where it has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1791 km². It is however locally abundant. As there are no severe threats to this species, the population is assumed to be stable, and therefore it is not in danger of extinction and is listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs in the Koue Bokkeveld and Swartruggens mountains from Wuppertal to Karoopoort in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Swartruggens Quartzite Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on sandstone slopes in montane fynbos, 900-1800 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 |
| Field observations noted presence of alien invasive plants in some parts of this species' habitat. However, this is not considered a severe threat at present. |
Population |
This species is locally abundant, occurring as dense stands or as scattered plants. More than 50% of the subpopulations are small, each with less than 250 mature individuals. The largest subpopulation occurs on the Baviaansberg, with over 10 000 individuals. Although alien invasive plants are present in parts of the range, no significant population decline is suspected.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Vexatorella amoena (Rourke) Rourke | 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.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2019. Vexatorella amoena (Rourke) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/17 |
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