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Scientific Name | Spatalla colorata Meisn. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Shiny Spoon (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,iv,v)+2ab(iii,iv,v); C2a(i) |
Assessment Date | 2020/08/20 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Spatalla colorata has a restricted distribution range with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 596 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 68 km². It is currently known from two locations and has a small population of 313-2500 plants. All subpopulations are small, consisting of fewer than 250 plants. The population continues to decline due to ongoing habitat degradation from too frequent fires, spreading alien invasive plants and droughts. 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 endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa, where it occurs on the Langeberg Mountains. It historically also occurred on the Riviersonderend Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It is found on cool, south-facing sandstone slopes, at 900-1400 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 |
| All known or suspected subpopulations are within nature reserves, but they are very small in size. These subpopulations are threatened by spreading alien invasive hakeas. This species is also susceptible to drought-related mortality events and too frequent fires. |
Population |
Although historically recorded from the Riviersonderend mountains, this species has not been found there for the past 100 years. It now only occurs on the Langeberg Mountains where it is known from a 50 km range. Monitoring during the Protea Atlas Project (1991-2001) recorded seven subpopulations. Grootvadersbos: has six subpopulations that have been recorded over a 7 km long range, of which two have several hundred plants. Zuurbraak Peak was not extensively atlassed, but suitable habitats were visited by N. Helme and R. Turner in 2005 to try and find plants, but none were found. It was last seen in the 1920s in this area. Leeurivierberg has a single subpopulation of over 100 plants in 2003.
Subpopulations are small, consisting of fewer than 250 mature individuals, and the current population size is estimated to be 313-1302 mature individuals. The population continues to decline due to habitat degradation. Monitoring is needed, as subpopulations occur on cool slopes which are likely to be sensitive to too frequent fires.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| All known or suspected subpopulations are within nature reserves, it is known from the Boosmansbos and Marloth nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla colorata Meisn. | EN B1ac(iv)+2ac(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Spatalla colorata Meisn. | 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.
Vogts, M. 1982. South Africa’s Proteaceae. Know them and grow them. Struik, Cape Town.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Spatalla colorata Meisn. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/18 |
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