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Scientific Name | Diastella divaricata (P.J.Bergius) Rourke subsp. divaricata |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Peninsula Silkypuff (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2020/04/08 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Diastella divaricata subsp. divaricata has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 245 km². It is however highly abundant, and known from 26 subpopulations. Although the subpopulations are protected in the Table Mountain National Park, there are ongoing threats, including uncontrolled fires and competition from alien invasive plants. The population is large, and therefore not yet in danger of extinction. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This taxon is endemic to the Cape Peninsula, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it occurs from Steenberg Plateau southwards to Cape Point. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | This sprawling shrub occurs on sandy soils, from 0-650 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 |
| Alien invasive plants have been largely cleared on the Cape Peninsula by the South African National Parks agency (SANPARKS). However in some areas, like Silvermine, many Acacia seedlings have come up after fires from soil-stored seed banks, and the pressure from invasive species remains ever present.
There is increased fire intensities fuelled by invasive plants, causing ongoing habitat degradation in this taxon's' range, and as a reseeder, it is likely to decline and disappear in areas that are repeatedly burnt before plants reach reproductive maturity.
Another 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 taxon' 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 |
It is locally common, found in large numbers, often in dense stands on the Cape Peninsula. Only two subpopulations are small and isolated, and they are found in Slangkop. The population trend is unknown, but is likely to decline in future if alien invasive plants are unmanaged.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Diastella divaricata (P.J.Bergius) Rourke subsp. divaricata | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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. Diastella divaricata (P.J.Bergius) Rourke subsp. divaricata. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/03/22 |
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