|
Scientific Name | Vexatorella obtusata (Thunb.) Rourke subsp. albomontana (Rourke) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucospermum obtusatum (Thunb.) E.Phillips (in part), Leucospermum obtusatum (Thunb.) E.Phillips subsp. albomontanum Rourke |
Common Names | Witteberg 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 obtusata subsp. albomontana has a restricted distribution range in the mountains of Little Karoo, South Africa, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 2377 km², and an area of occupancy of 528 km². It is however locally common within its range, and has no severe significant threats, and therefore it is not in danger of extinction. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This subspecies is endemic to the mountains of the western Little Karoo, where it occurs on the Bonteberg, Witteberg and Anysberg in Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, Matjiesfontein Quartzite Fynbos, Matjiesfontein Shale Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on quartzite soils in arid fynbos, at 800-1500 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 4% of the subspecies' habitat is irreversibly modified due to habitat loss to crop cultivation. This subspecies has no significant severe threats. However, alien invasive plants are present at low density and are likely to be threat if left unmanaged.
Another slight potential threat is invasive ant species that are displacing native ant species. Invasive ants do not perform the function of indigenous ants, which is to bury this species' seeds in their nests where they are protected from fire. |
Population |
This subspecies is locally common, found in dense scattered stands. The majority of subpopulations are large, and the largest with over 10 000 plants occurring at Witberge. The population is not suspected to be declining.
|
Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Vexatorella obtusata (Thunb.) Rourke subsp. albomontana (Rourke) Rourke | 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.
Rebelo, T. 2001. Sasol Proteas: A field guide to the proteas of southern Africa. (2nd ed.). Fernwood Press, Vlaeberg, Cape Town.
|
Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2019. Vexatorella obtusata (Thunb.) Rourke subsp. albomontana (Rourke) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/14 |
Comment on this assessment
