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Scientific Name | Spatalla argentea Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Silver-leaf Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2019/04/09 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo & D. Raimondo |
Justification | Spatalla argentea is a species with a restricted range, it has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 48 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 36 km². There is ongoing degradation of this species habitat at two known locations due to alien pine and hakea invasion. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa, where it occurs in Riviersonderend Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows in sandy patches among boulders on dry north-facing slopes in sandstone fynbos, 800-1600 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 |
| Unmanaged alien invasive plants (hakeas and pines) are spreading into this species' habitat and causing ongoing decline to habitat quality. The second largest subpopulation is likely to be affected by agriculture as it is in the habitat suitable for fruit and protea orchard. |
Population |
This species is known from two subpopulations occurring 10 km apart at Wolfieskop and Jonaskop. The largest is at Wolfieskop with several hundred plants. The population is declining due to ongoing habitat degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| A single patch of four plants occurs in the Riviersonderend Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla argentea Rourke | EN B1ac(iv)+2ac(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Spatalla argentea Rourke | 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.
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. 2019. Spatalla argentea Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/25 |
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