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Scientific Name | Serruria scoparia R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A2ce |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/01 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Serruria scoparia has experienced a population reduction of over 80% based on 87% reduction in range (EOO) and 91% habitat loss due to crop cultivation, alien plant invasion, groundwater extraction, overgrazing and too frequent fires in the past 100 years (generation length >100 years). This species has a restricted extent of occurrence of 115-116 km², and all remaining subpopulations are severely fragmented. Decline in habitat quality is ongoing. It qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered under criteria A. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs on the flats between Riebeek Kasteel and Gouda in the Swartland Region of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Swartland Shale Renosterveld, Atlantis Sand Fynbos |
Description | It is most prominently found in Swartland Shale Renosterveld. It is a long-lived species, and survives fires by resprouting from underground boles or rootstocks. 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 |
| More than 90% of this species shale renosterveld habitat is already transformed, predominantly for the cultivation of wheat and other cereal crops. Plants on small remaining fragments are threatened by alien invasive acacia infestations, overgrazing, inappropriate fire management and groundwater extraction. |
Population |
This species is known from five subpopulations, all of which are small and isolated. The population is severely fragmented and is experiencing ongoing decline. Remaining subpopulations include: Sandberg (10-100 plants last surveyed in 1999); Rondevlei (10-100 plants last recorded in 2016); Renostervlei (50-100 plants last recorded in 2018); Rondeheuwel (a few hundred plants in 1997, and only 10-50 remained in 2016); and De La Fontaine (fewer than 10 individuals in 2015).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Serruria scoparia is not currently conserved in any formally protected area. |
Notes |
| This was a rarely collected and very poorly known species prior to the Protea Atlas Project (1991-2001). It was previously overlooked in South African Red Lists. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria scoparia R.Br. | CR A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Serruria scoparia R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/14 |
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