Exploding Baked Apple

Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Paranomus longicaulis Salisb. ex Knight
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
PROTEACEAE
Synonyms
Nivenia diversifolia (Roem. & Schult.) E.Phillips & Hutch., Paranomus diversifolius E.Phillips, Sorocephalus diversifolius (Roem. & Schult.) R.Br.
Common Names
Exploding Baked Apple (e)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Endangered B1ab(iii,iv,v)+2ab(iii,iv,v); C2a(i)
Assessment Date
2020/03/20
Assessor(s)
A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden
Justification
Paranomus longicaulis has a very restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 241 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 80 km². It is known from five locations, where it is declining due to overgrazing and over burning of its habitat. Alien invasive plants are increasing in densities and are threatening to outcompete this species. A small population of less than 2500 plants is estimated. All subpopulations are small, consisting of fewer than 250 plants. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criteria B and C.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
This species is endemic to the Western Cape Province of South Africa, occurring from Garcia's Pass to Attaquaskloof in the Langeberg Mountains.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos
Description
It grows in sandstone fynbos on lower north slopes. 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
It has lost a small proportion (less than 5%) of its habitat to agriculture in the past, and no loss of habitat has been recorded between 1990 and 2014. It is threatened by competition from scattered infestations of alien invasive plants at Cloetesberg, and around Spitskop River. Elsewhere in its range, alien invasive plants are present in low densities, and not yet threatening native species. If these are however not controlled, they are likely to increase rapidly over the next 15-20 years to such densities that native species are likely to be outcompeted. Subpopulations are also heavily impacted by overgrazing and overburning to improve grazing. Too frequent overburning leads to population collapse as soil-stored seed banks are depleted. Wild flower harvesting has also been noted as an ongoing threat to this species.
Population

In 1980s Paranomus longicaulis was thought to be very rare, and confined to one large subpopulation of 500 plants, and a total of fewer than 1 000 plants (Vlok 1991). However, during a Protea Atlas Project implemented between 1992 and 2002, a few additional subpopulations were found. All subpopulations are very small, and consist of less than 250 plants. A few of the subpopulations are badly overgrazed. Over burning to improve grazing is common. The populations is estimated to be 1485-2500 plants.


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
Paranomus longicaulis Salisb. ex KnightVU B1ab(v)+2ab(v)Raimondo et al. (2009)
Paranomus longicaulis Salisb. ex KnightVulnerable Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Paranomus longicaulis Salisb. ex KnightVulnerable Hall et al. (1980)
Paranomus diversifolius E.PhillipsRare Hall et al. (1980)
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.


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.


Vlok, J. 1991. Unrecognized rare species from the southern Cape. Protea Atlas Newsletter 9:8-9.


Citation
Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Paranomus longicaulis Salisb. ex Knight. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/11/09

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Distribution map

© G. Nooteboom


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