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Scientific Name | Spatalla salsoloides (R.Br.) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Sorocephalus salsoloides R.Br. |
Common Names | Kink-style Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered D |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/10 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, D. Raimondo & N.A. Helme |
Justification | Spatalla salsoloides is a restricted endemic to high altitude mountains of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 58 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 24 km². Four small subpopulations are known which together total fewer than 250 mature individuals. While mild fluctuations in number of individuals occur in response to fire, this species population is considered stable. It therefore qualifies for Endangered under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to South Africa, and is found in the Du Toit's Kloof and Hottentot Hollands Mountains, in the Western Cape Province. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on rocky south-facing slopes, at 1500-1850 m a.s.l. 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 |
| The only potential threat to Spatalla salsoloides is from woody invasive alien plants. Sporadic pines occur within its range but are not yet dense and hence should no be causing any decline. |
Population |
It is a naturally rare species without any known declines. Most of the historical sites seem to be stable, despite fluctuations in numbers and the small population sizes. There are four small subpopulations known that are isolated from one another. The first subpopulation occurs on Du Toits Peak south facing ridges, where three stands are known together totaling fewer than 100 plants. The second subpopulation is on Goudini Sneeukop where there are fewer than 50 mature individuals. The third subpopulation is from Kroonland Peak where some eight plants are known and the fourth from Stettynsberg where between 50 and 70 plants occur. The total population consists of fewer than 250 mature individuals and while numbers fluctuate in response to fire these fluctuations are not extreme. The population is kept stable due to it having a soil stored seedbank.
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Population trend | Stable |
Conservation |
| Three subpopulations occur in the Hawequas Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla salsoloides (R.Br.) Rourke | CR B1ac(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Spatalla salsoloides (R.Br.) Rourke | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Spatalla salsoloides (R.Br.) Rourke | Rare | Hall et al. (1980) | |
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.
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
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. & Helme, N.A. 2020. Spatalla salsoloides (R.Br.) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/08 |
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