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Scientific Name | Leucospermum conocarpodendron (L.) H.Buek subsp. viridum Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Goudboom (a), Green Tree-pincushion (e), Groen-kreupelhout (a), Kreupelboom (a), Pincushion (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened B1b(iii)+2b(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2019/09/10 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | This subspecies has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 5384 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 872 km², which fall within the threshold of Vulnerable, but its population is dense, common and found in more than ten locations. There is ongoing degradation of habitat due to alien invasive plant species spread and too frequent fires. It therefore almost qualifies for Vulnerable under criterion B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This subspecies is endemic to the Western Cape Province in South Africa, it is found on the Cape Peninsula, the Cape Flats (Kanonberg), Hottentots Holland to Franschhoek Mountains, Kogelberg, Kleinmond, Babilonstoring and Kleinrivier Mountains to Stanford. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Swartland Granite Renosterveld, Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Cape Winelands Shale Fynbos, Peninsula Granite Fynbos, Boland Granite Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in sandstone fynbos, and is usually densest in rocky areas where fires are cooler. 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 birds. |
Threats |
| Urbanization, afforestation and agriculture have transformed 31% (calculated using GIS) of this subspecies' habitat in low lying areas. The remaining habitat which is mostly in protected areas at high altitudes but is affected by alien trees and shrubs. The Cape Peninsula and Kogelberg parts of its range are also experiencing too frequent fires due to proximity to urban areas and roads. The alien invasive Argentine Ant also feeds on the elaiosome of seeds, leaving them exposed to mammal and bird predation (Christain, 2001). |
Population |
Leucospermum conocarpodendron subsp. viridum is usually encountered in stands of several dozen plants dominating the landscape. The population is declining due to too frequent fires and habitat degradation by alien plants.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is protected within the Table Mountain National Park and Kogelberg Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum conocarpodendron (L.) H.Buek subsp. viridum Rourke | NT A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Christian, C.E. 2001. Consequences of a biological invasion reveal the importance of mutualism for plant communities. Nature 413:635-639.
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. 2019. Leucospermum conocarpodendron (L.) H.Buek subsp. viridum Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/05/16 |
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