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Scientific Name | Leucadendron modestum I.Williams |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Rough-leaf Conebush (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(ii,iii,v)+2b(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/03/30 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucadendron modestum is a range-restricted species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3905-3942 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 748-752 km². Although its habitat has been transformed, mainly to crop cultivation in the past, it still persist in fragments that are not suitable for agriculture and there are more than 10 extant locations. A continuing decline is inferred from increasing competition from alien invasive plants, inappropriate fire management, overgrazing, road verge clearing, and therefore this species nearly meets the criteria thresholds for Vulnerable under criterion B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species has a restricted distribution in the southern Overberg in the Western Cape, South Africa, from Bot River to Potberg. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | De Hoop Limestone Fynbos, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos, Potberg Ferricrete Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | Leucadendron modestum is most prominent in Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, persisting on soils too waterlogged for agriculture. 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 occurring on separate plants. |
Threats |
| Habitat of L. modestum has been lost to ploughing for cereals, vines and pasture fields on Elim Flats and Agulhas Plain. The Bot River, Bredasdorp and Napier subpopulations are threatened by urban development. About 32% of this species habitat has been lost, but it still persists in remnant fragments.
These fragments are invaded by alien invasive plants, particularly acacias and pines that are outcompeting native species, and are also subjected to inappropriate fire management, either with too frequent fires to stimulate growth for grazing cattle or too infrequent fires elsewhere to avoid risks of damage to crop fields. Also, subpopulations on road verges are subjected to clearing. |
Population |
L. modestum occurs in extensive dense isolated stands. The few large remnants that still survive are on soils too waterlogged for agriculture, and sometimes slightly saline. The population is declining due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is conserved at De Hoop Nature Reserve and TFDC Armscor, Rietfontein and Renosterkop Private Nature Reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucadendron modestum I.Williams | EN A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Leucadendron modestum I.Williams | Not Threatened | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Leucadendron modestum I.Williams | Vulnerable | Hall et al. (1980) | |
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.
Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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 modestum I.Williams. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/30 |
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