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Scientific Name | Spatalla curvifolia Salisb. ex Knight |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Spatalla galpinii E.Phillips |
Common Names | White-stalked Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(iii,v)+2b(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/04/18 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Spatalla curvifolia is a range-restricted species from the mountains of the Western Cape Province, South Africa, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3817 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 452 km². It is a locally common species that occurs at more than 10 locations. It is declining due to ongoing habitat loss outside of protected areas and degradation of habitat due to increasing densities of alien invasive plants. It harvested for the flower cut industry. It therefore nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is widespread in the mountains of the Western Cape Province in South Africa, where it occurs from Kogelberg to Bredasdorp mountains and Agulhas coast. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | It grows on rocky slopes and sandy flats in sandstone fynbos, at 0-1000 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 |
| At least 15% of this species' habitat is irreversibly modified, predominantly due to habitat loss to vineyards, protea orchards, and coastal developments. There is slow, sporadic ongoing loss, but more concerning is the fact that the Sandstone Fynbos habitat where it occurs is densely infested with alien invasive plants, particularly hakeas, pines and acacias, that are causing ongoing decline in habitat quality.
Although Privett et al. (2005) state that it is not harvested, it is extensively sold as filler (Rebelo, pers. obs.).
A potential threat to this species is invasive ant species that are displacing 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 fire. Large scale ant invasions could lead to population collapse if there is no soil-stored seed bank to regenerate from post fire. |
Population |
Although this taxon is widespread and common it has been heavily impacted by coastal developments from Rooiels to Kleinmond and Hermanus, and furthermore has lost habitat to agricultural expansion in the Bredasdorp area. It is known from more than 100 subpopulations.
Alien species are a threat, especially for subpopulations that occur outside of the reserve areas (e.g. those west and east of Kleinmond) and for the subpopulations in and around Bredasdorp and Hermanus. Pine plantations and orchards threaten the Houwhoek subpopulation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is found within the Kogelberg, Fernkloof and Salmonsdam nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla curvifolia Salisb. ex Knight | NT A2c | 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.
Privett, S., Bailey, R., Raimondo, D., Kirkwood, D. and Euston-Brown, D. 2005. A vulnerability index for rare and harvested plant species on the Agulhas Plain. Flower Valley Conservation Trust.
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. Spatalla curvifolia Salisb. ex Knight. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/08 |
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