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Scientific Name | Paranomus spicatus (P.J.Bergius) Kuntze |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Nivenia spicata R.Br., Paranomus crithmifolius Salisb. ex Knight |
Common Names | Kogelberg Sceptre (e), Perdebos (a), Poppies (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/06/01 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, D. Raimondo, N.A. Helme & L. von Staden |
Justification | Paranomus spicatus is a narrow endemic to the Hottentot Holland and Kogelberg Mountains of South Africa, this species has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 187 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 100 km². It is known from eight locations and is declining as a result of too frequent fire. It therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is known from Hottentots Holland Mountains to Kogelberg, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos, Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation |
Description | It occurs in sandstone fynbos, mainly on lower slopes in gullies and seeps. 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 germinate following fire. It is pollinated by insects. |
Threats |
| This species has lost a total of 19% of its habitat in the past to urban and agricultural development, road building and the construction of the Steenbras Dam. Currently it is declining as a result of too frequent fire, a total of 20% of its occupied habitat burnt three times between 2001 and 2013 and a further 50% burnt twice between 2006 and 2019. Too frequent fire will continue to be a problem as it occurs adjacent to two busy roads: Sir Lowry's Pass and Clarens Drive. Some subpopulations are further threatened by invasive alien plants in particular Hakea sp. Another potential threat is invasive ant species that displace 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 predation by rodents. |
Population |
This species occurs as scattered stands of plants associated with seep habitats along a 35 km stretch of shale bands on the lower foothills of the Hottentot-Holland and Kogelberg Mountains. Twenty eight mostly small subpopulations from eight locations have been recorded, the largest subpopulations occurs to the west of the Steenbras Dam. The population is experiencing ongoing decline mainly as a result of too frequent fire.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is protected in Kogelberg Nature Reserve. Most populations are not conserved and occur in the adjacent Helderberg and Steenbras Mountain Catchment Areas. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Paranomus spicatus (P.J.Bergius) Kuntze | NT B1ab(iv)c(iv)+2ab(iv)c(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Paranomus spicatus (P.J.Bergius) Kuntze | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
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.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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., Raimondo, D., Helme, N.A. & von Staden, L. 2020. Paranomus spicatus (P.J.Bergius) Kuntze. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/20 |
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