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Scientific Name | Spatalla setacea (R.Br.) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Spatallopsis begleyi E.Phillips |
Common Names | Needle-leaf Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/08/21 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Spatalla setacea has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 826 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 128 km². It is known from 11 locations and decline to the population has been observed as a result of too frequent fires. It therefore qualifies for listing as Near Threatened under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the mountains of the Western Cape, South Africa, where it occurs between Slanghoek and Kogelberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on peaty sponges on south-facing slopes at high altitudes (500-1600 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 |
| A very small proportion (2%) of this species' habitat was lost in the past. This species' habitat is now formally protected, however it is threatened by too frequent fire return intervals. |
Population |
Plants occur in scattered clumps of few to a dozen individuals. The majority of the subpopulations are small, and about 40% of these are severely fragmented. The largest subpopulations occur in the Kogelberg where there are over 10 000 mature individuals. Where fires have burned in nine year old stands, there has been a marked reduction in stand density of this species in the Kogelberg, notably colonies at Dwarsrivierberg, Spinnekopneskloof and Sanctuary Peak. As fire return cycles continue to shorten this species is experiencing an ongoing decline.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is found in the Kogelberg, Hottentotholland and Haweqwa nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla setacea (R.Br.) Rourke | Least Concern | 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.
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 setacea (R.Br.) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/08 |
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