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Scientific Name | Leucadendron foedum I.Williams |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Hopefield Conebush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/06/06 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucadendron foedum has a limited distribution range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1761-2049 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 292-300 km². The population is severely fragmented and there is continuing decline due to expanding agriculture, overgrazing, alien plant invasion, inappropriate fire management and urban expansion. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | It is endemic to lowland of Berg River, from Hopefield to Piketberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Saldanha Flats Strandveld, Swartland Silcrete Renosterveld, Swartland Alluvium Renosterveld, Hopefield Sand Fynbos, Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on sandy flats, 30-100 m. Mature individuals are killed by fires, and only seeds survive. Wind-dispersed seeds are stored in fire-resistant inflorescences, and released after fires. It is dioecious, with insect-pollinated male and female flowers occuring on separate plants. |
Threats |
| At least 51% of this species' lowland sand flats habitat is already irreversibly modified. It has lost habitat to agriculture expansion and continues to decline to throughout its range. Most of this species remaining habitat in fragments between Hopefield and Redelinghuys, and it is densely infested with alien invasive Acacia species, which are outcompeting native species. There is ongoing habitat loss to expanding potato and rooibos tea cultivation, and urbanization (smallholdings). Isolated remnants are subjected to overgrazing and inappropriate fire management, particularly too-infrequent fire lit to stimulate new growth for grazing. It is potentially threatened by groundwater extraction for irrigation as the majority of subpopulations remain between agricultural fields. |
Population |
This species occur over a 76 km range, usually encountered as scattered plants. There are very few extensive or dense stand, and the largest occurs in a rapidly-developing smallholdings just northwest of Hopefield. The majority of subpopulations are small and isolated, consisting of not more than 200 mature individuals. As most individuals are in small, isolated subpopulations, the population is considered severely fragmented. The population continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| This species does not occur in any protected area. Either the West Coast National Park or the Hopefield Nature Reserve should be enlarged to conserve this species. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron foedum I.Williams | VU 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.
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. Leucadendron foedum I.Williams. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/30 |
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