|
Scientific Name | Spatalla barbigera Salisb. ex Knight |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Spatalla burchellii E.Phillips, Spatalla sericea R.Br. |
Common Names | Fine-leaf Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2020/04/18 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Spatalla barbigera has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 8897 km², and area of occupancy (AOO) of 176-180 km². This species' habitat is continuing to decline due to alien plant invasion and groundwater extraction, but more than 10 locations still remain. Therefore it nearly meets the thresholds of Vulnerable 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 from eastern Langeberg to Outeniqua Mountains and Swartberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, North Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos, South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows at high altitudes in sandstone fynbos on the Swartberg range and at low altitudes in sandstone fynbos on the Outeniqua range. 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 11% of this species' habitat is already irreversibly modified, predominantly due to timber plantations around George and Bergplaas. This loss is largely historical, with very low levels of ongoing loss recorded in recent years (1% between 1990 and 2014). This is because the majority of its remaining habitat is in protected areas.
Alien invasive plants are spreading and increasing in density in the mountains of the Western Cape, and are likely to outcompete native species such as S. barbigera if not urgently cleared. Recent field observations indicate that subpopulations in the Langeberg, Outeniqua and Swartberg mountains are threatened by competition from spreading, unmanaged alien invasive plants. |
Population |
The population of this species consists of extensive subpopulations of thousands of plants made up of small clumps of plants scattered over several kilometres of continuous montane habitat. The population is expected to continue to decline due to competition from alien invasive plants.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is found in the Towerkop Ruitersbos, Doringrivier and Witfontein nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla barbigera Salisb. ex Knight | NT B1ab(i)+2ab(i) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Spatalla barbigera Salisb. ex Knight | 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.
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.
|
Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Spatalla barbigera Salisb. ex Knight. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/25 |
Comment on this assessment
