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Scientific Name | Mimetes pauciflorus R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Three-flowered Pagoda (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/13 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Mimetes pauciflorus has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 2067 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 464-468 km². It is declining in parts of its range due to competition from alien invasive plants, but it remains at between 11 and 13 locations. It therefore nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criteria B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs in the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains, of the Western Cape Province in South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Tsitsikamma Sandstone Fynbos, South Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows in sandstone fynbos, on moist south-facing slopes, at 300-1500 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 birds. |
Threats |
| At least 22% of the species' habitat has already been lost, mainly to commercial timber plantations. Most of this species' habitat is in protected areas, and there is no significant ongoing habitat loss. Timber plantations are however a major source of alien invasive plants, particularly escaped pine seedlings that are invading surrounding native vegetation, and outcompeting native species when they become dense.
Modelling of habitat loss predicted a population reduction of more than 30% in 2005, and a further 50% habitat loss by 2025 (Bomhard et al. 2005), but such drastic population reductions has not yet occurred.
As a reseeder, this species is however potentially vulnerable to inappropriate fire management, particularly increases in fire frequency. Increasing prolonged droughts in the Western Cape are also likely to increase pressure on groundwater resources, on which this moist-preferring species is dependent. |
Population |
This species occurs as scattered stands of a few to a dozen plants. It is known from 97 subpopulations and about 24% of these are small and isolated. Subpopulations occur in 11 to 13 locations. The largest subpopulations has ±5000 individuals. The population is declining due to habitat degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is conserved in Ruitersbos, Doring River, Witfontein, Millwood, Honingbos, Lottering Nature Reserves and State Forests and Soetkraal National Park. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Mimetes pauciflorus R.Br. | VU A2c+3c+4c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Mimetes pauciflorus R.Br. | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Bomhard, B., Richardson, D.M., Donaldson, J.S., Hughes, G.O., Midgley, G.F., Raimondo, D.C., Rebelo, A.G., Rouget, M. and Thuiller, W. 2005. Potential impacts of future land use and climate change on the Red List status of the Proteaceae in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. Global Change Biology 11(9):1452-1468.
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., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Mimetes pauciflorus R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/14 |
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