|
Scientific Name | Spatalla longifolia Salisb. ex Knight |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Spatalla cylindrica E.Phillips |
Common Names | Pink-stalked Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,iv,v)+2ab(iii,iv,v); C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/04 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Spatalla longifolia is an endemic species from the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It has a restricted distribution range and is rare, found as solitary plants, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 681 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 76 km². It is known from between nine and 10 locations. The small and severely fragmented subpopulations are threatened by ongoing degradation of habitat by alien invasive plants. The total population consists of 324-2500 mature individuals, and the largest subpopulation has fewer than 250 mature individuals. It therefore qualifies for listing as Endangered under criteria B and C. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is restricted to Hottentots-Holland mountains, occurring from Jonkershoek to Kleinmond. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on rocky slopes in sandstone fynbos, it is very localized adjacent to but not in wet 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 fire. It is pollinated by insects. |
Threats |
| About 10% of this species' habitat is already irreversibly modified, predominantly due to historical habitat loss to timber plantations on the lower slopes of the Kogelberg. Timber plantations are no longer expanding, and thus habitat loss has ceased. Although the remaining habitat is mostly in protected areas and alien invasive plants have been largely cleared, particularly in Kogelberg, re-invasion of habitat by alien trees and shrubs is ongoing. The Steenbras area where this species occurs is heavily infested by alien invasive plants which are now outcompeting native species. As a reseeder, this species is potentially vulnerable to too frequent fire, as local extinctions can occur if fires repeatedly kill individuals before they reach reproductive maturity. Too frequent fires are more likely to occur in areas with dense infestations of alien plants. |
Population |
This species is known from 20 subpopulations that are small and fragmented. More than 50% of subpopulations consist of fewer than 200 mature individuals. The total population numbers between 324 and 2500 mature individuals and no subpopulation has more than 250 mature individuals. The population is inferred to be declining due to habitat degradation by alien invasive plants. Monitoring is required to determine the rate of decline to the population as a result of alien invasive plant spread.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is found in the Theewaters, Hottentot’s Holland, Kogelberg and Kleinmond Coast and Mountain nature reserves. |
Notes |
| Unlike S. curvifolia and S. racemosa, its sister species, S. longifolia tends to occur as isolated subpopulations of one to two plants (Rourke 1969). The dynamics and demographic ecology of such small stands defies current genetic theories – presumably subpopulations have large seed banks. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla longifolia Salisb. ex Knight | NT B1ab(iv)+2ab(iv); D2 | 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.
Rourke, J.P. 1969. Taxonomic studies on Sorocephalus R.Br. and Spatalla Salisb. Journal of South African Botany Supplement 7:1-124.
|
Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Spatalla longifolia Salisb. ex Knight. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/18 |
Comment on this assessment
