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Scientific Name | Spatalla confusa (E.Phillips) Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Spatallopsis confusa E.Phillips |
Common Names | Long-tube Spoon (e), Wolbos (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2019/04/15 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Spatalla confusa is a widespread, and common species in the mountains of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. While parts of its range are being impacted by too frequent fire, as well as competition from unmanaged alien invasive plants, these threats are however not severe, and are unlikely to rapidly cause this species to become threatened within the foreseeable future. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape Province in South Africa, where it occurs from the Cederberg to the Hottentots Holland Mountains and eastwards to the Swartberg and Kammanassie Mountains, Touwsberg and Rooiberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Hex Sandstone Fynbos, Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Swartberg Altimontane Sandstone Fynbos, Western Altimontane Sandstone Fynbos, North Kammanassie Sandstone Fynbos, South Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Swartberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Rooiberg Sandstone Fynbos, South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Matjiesfontein Quartzite Fynbos, Swartruggens Quartzite Fynbos |
Description | It grows in rock crevices near mountain summits, at an altitude of 800-2200 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 |
| As a reseeder, Spatalla confusa is potentially threatened by increases in fire frequency. Recent field surveys noted increases in fire frequency in the Swartberg, but this area represents only a small part of this species' range.
Lowland subpopulations from the Cederberg, Langeberg and Swartberg, are being impacted by competition from alien invasive plants. However, most subpopulations of this species occur in montane areas where there is no ongoing habitat loss, and no severe significant threats. |
Population |
This species is common, and is frequently encountered and occurs in isolated stands. It is known from 260 subpopulations, the majority of these are very large with over 1000 mature individuals. While localised declines are taking place, the overall population is suspected to be stable.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Spatalla confusa (E.Phillips) 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.
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.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2019. Spatalla confusa (E.Phillips) Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/08 |
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