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Scientific Name | Spatalla racemosa (L.) Druce |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Spatalla gracilis Salisb. ex Knight |
Common Names | Lax-Stalked Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(iii)+2b(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2020/05/04 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Spatalla racemosa is an endemic species with a restricted distribution range in South Africa, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1206 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 292 km². There is a continuing decline in the area and extent of suitable habitat outside protected areas. It is threatened by competition from alien invasive plants and invasive ant species. This species is however locally common, and remains at more than 20 locations, and therefore it nearly meets the criteria thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | It occurs from Viljoen's Pass to Kleinrivier Mountains, in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | It grows on rocky slopes and sandy flats in sandstone fynbos, at 50-700 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 16% of Spatalla racemosa's habitat is already irreversibly modified. This loss is largely historical, with very low levels of ongoing habitat loss recorded in recent years (1% loss between 1990 and 2014). Near the coast, it is mainly threatened by habitat loss to urban expansion and coastal development. In lowland areas further inland, it has lost habitat to agriculture, mainly to afforestation, vineyards, and crop cultivation.
It is currently threatened by competition from alien invasive plants in the Hottentots Holland Mountain, Groenlandberg, Babilonstoringberg, Onrusberg, as well as parts of the Kleinrivier Mountains.
A potential threat 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 |
This species is locally common, occurring in scattered populations of a few hundred plants. It is known from over 100 subpopulations. The majority of these subpopulations are large.
The population is declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is found within the Kogelberg, Houwhoek, Mt Hebron, Fernkloof nature reserves and also in the Klein Houwhoek Private Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla racemosa (L.) Druce | 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.
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 racemosa (L.) Druce. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/31 |
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