|
Scientific Name | Serruria bolusii E.Phillips & Hutch. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Agulhas Spiderhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened A2ce; B1b(iii,v)+2b(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/08/04 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & D. Raimondo |
Justification | Serruria bolusii is estimated to have declined by 20-30% due to habitat destruction and degradation over the past 45 years (three generations). Recent field observations indicate that it is still fairly common within its range, occurring at more than 10 locations. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1684 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 596 km². It continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation, and therefore nearly meets the thresholds for listing as Vulnerable under criteria A and B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | It has a very limited distribution in the Elim Hills and Soetanysberg, of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos |
Description | This species grows in sandstone and ferricrete fynbos in lowland areas. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. It has a generation length linked to natural fire cycles of between 15 and 20 years. Seeds are released after ripening, and are dispersed by ants to their underground nests, where they are protected from predation and fire. It is pollinated by insects. |
Threats |
| About 31% of this species habitat is irreversibly modified due to historical loss to vineyards and protea orchards, and loss continues.
Alien invasive acacia species are spreading, and increasing in density in sandstone and ferricrete fynbos, and are outcompeting this species in many parts of its range. |
Population |
Serruria bolusii's population has declined in the past due to habitat loss and degradation, and loss is ongoing. There are 99 subpopulations known, from at least 20 locations. The rate of decline is unknown but a decline of between 20 and 30% of the population since 1975 (three generations) is suspected to have taken place given ongoing loss of habitat to agriculture and the rapid spread of invasive species across much of its range.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is present in the Brandfontein-Rietfontein and Renosterkop Private nature reserves. |
Notes |
| Previously considered synonymous with Serruria nervosa, but now treated separately. Serruria bolusii has multiple heads with adpressed hairs on the perianth compared to Serruria nervosa with mostly single heads and erect hairs on the perianth. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria bolusii E.Phillips & Hutch. | NT A2c | 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.
|
Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & Raimondo, D. 2020. Serruria bolusii E.Phillips & Hutch. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/22 |
Comment on this assessment
