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Scientific Name | Serruria elongata (P.J.Bergius) R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Long-stalk Spiderhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(iii,v)+2b(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/06/28 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Serruria elongata has a restricted distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 7552 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 1508-1516 km². A continuing decline is inferred from increasing competition from alien invasive plants and ants, and ongoing habitat loss, but this species is still abundant within its habitat, and is known from more than 10 locations. Therefore it nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is widespread across the mountains and flats of the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa, where it occurs from Du Toit's Kloof to the Agulhas Plain. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | It grows in sandstone fynbos on flats and lower slopes, 20-1100 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 |
| About 26% of this species' habitat is already irreversibly modified, and loss continues. The main causes of habitat loss are urban and agricultural expansion, as well as historical loss to commercial timber plantations on the lower slopes of mountains across some parts of its range.
Much of this species' habitat is densely infested with alien invasive plants that are outcompeting native species. Clearing efforts are ongoing in protected areas, such as the Agulhas National Park and Kogelberg Nature Reserve, but elsewhere, invasive plants continue to spread and increase in density. Another 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 species' 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
Land transformation models predicted a population reduction of up to 50% by 2025 (Bomhard et al. 2005), but such drastic population reductions have not yet occurred. |
Population |
This species is extensive, and locally abundant at present. The population is declining due to loss and degradation of habitat.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Large subpopulations persist in the Kogelberg, Houwhoek, Groenlandberg, Babylonstoring, Fernkloof, Theewaters, Salmonsdam, Rietfontein, and Heuningberg nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria elongata (P.J.Bergius) R.Br. | NT A2c+4c | 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.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Serruria elongata (P.J.Bergius) R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/01/17 |
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