| Scientific Name | Mimetes cucullatus (L.) R.Br. | Higher Classification | Dicotyledons | Family | PROTEACEAE | Synonyms | Mimetes lyrigera Salisb. ex Knight | Common Names | Common Pagoda (e), Rooistompie (a) |
National Status | Status and Criteria | Least Concern | Assessment Date | 2019/06/25 | Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden | Justification | Mimetes cucullatus is the most widespread of all Mimetes species. It has an extent of occurrence of 71 227 km² and is known from over 1000 subpopulations. It is not in danger of extinction and is listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution | Endemism | South African endemic | Provincial distribution | Eastern Cape, Western Cape | Range | This species has a wide distribution range in Western Cape, South Africa, where it occurs from Koue Bokkeveld to Kogelberg and the Elim Flats, extending eastwards along the Riviersonderend Mountains to the Langeberg, Klein Swartberg, Outeniqua and Kouga mountains. Isolated populations occur on the Cape Peninsula, Caledon Swartberg, Potberg and Rooiberg. |
Habitat and Ecology | Major system | Terrestrial | Major habitats | Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos, Greyton Shale Fynbos, Elgin Shale Fynbos, Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos, Breede Shale Fynbos, Swartberg Shale Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Albertinia Sand Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Swellendam Silcrete Fynbos, Central Coastal Shale Band Vegetation, Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation, Garden Route Granite Fynbos, North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, Kouga Sandstone Fynbos, South Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos, Garden Route Shale Fynbos, South Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Potberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos | Description | It is found on sandstone slopes and flats, most frequently on the cool, moist, south-facing slopes and damp flats, in sandy soils, 0-1600 m. It is a long-lived species, and survives fires by resprouting from underground boles or rootstocks. 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 | | About 21% of this species' habitat is irreversibly modified, predominantly due to historical loss to agriculture, urban expansion, as well as commercial timber plantations. Loss continues in lowland areas, and if recent rates of habitat loss are projected into the future, could reach 24% in three generations, as this species is very long-lived. Such projections may however not be realistic, as the rate of habitat loss is much lower in montane areas than in the lowlands. Most natural vegetation outside protected areas in the lowlands are already lost, and remaining subpopulations are small and fragmented, while those in the mountains are extensive, and not currently declining.
Alien invasive plants are present in its habitat, particularly in areas near timber plantations, a major source of escaped pine seedlings. As alien invasive plants are spreading and increasing in density over large areas of the mountains of the Western Cape, they are outcompeting native species and this is a future threat that requires monitoring. |
Population | This species is common across its range and occurs as scattered clumps. It is known from over 1000 subpopulations. The population is very large, and while delining due to habitat loss, the overall population remains substantial and not in danger of extinction.
| Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Mimetes cucullatus (L.) R.Br. | 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.
Vlok, J. and Schutte-Vlok, A.L. 2010. Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press, Hatfield.
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Citation | | Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2019. Mimetes cucullatus (L.) R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/16 |
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 © D. Turner  © D. Turner  © D. Turner  © C. Merry  © C. Merry  © A. Marais  © J.H. Vlok/A.L. Schutte-Vlok
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