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Scientific Name | Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron (L.) Druce subsp. hypophyllocarpodendron |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Synonyms | Leucospermum hypophyllum (Thunb.) R.Br. |
Common Names | Green-snakestem Pincushion (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A2c+4c |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/23 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron subsp. hypophyllocarpodendron is common, but has declined significantly across its range, and continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. A population reduction of 38-51% over three generations is estimated from habitat loss over the past 150-300 years. If rates of habitat loss continue the population will have declined between 50 and 60% by the year 2070, with decline calculated two generations in the past and one generation into the future. It therefore meets the thresholds for Endangered under criterion A. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This subspecies is endemic to Western Cape Province, South Africa, occurring in the Cape Peninsula, Cape Flats, Berg River Valley and Elim coastal flats. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Dune Strandveld, Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, Saldanha Flats Strandveld, Swartland Granite Renosterveld, Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Overberg Sandstone Fynbos, Breede Sand Fynbos, Agulhas Sand Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Cape Flats Sand Fynbos, Atlantis Sand Fynbos, Hopefield Sand Fynbos, Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos, Swartland Alluvium Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on sandy flats, 40-400 m. It is a long-lived taxon, with a generation length of 50-100 years, and survives fires by resprouting from underground boles or rootstocks. 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 |
| At least 50% of this taxon's habitat is irreversibly modified, predominantly to pine plantations, urban and coastal housing developments, and agriculture (protea orchards). Although it still persists on the Cape Peninsula and Elim Flats, subpopulations are threatened by competition from alien invasive plants (acacias, leptospermums, eucalypts and pines).
It is potentially vulnerable to alien 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 over the longterm if there is no soil-stored seed bank to regenerate from post fire. |
Population |
This subspecies is common and occur as extensive stands of scattered plants on the Cape Peninsula and Elim Flats. Subpopulations from the Cape Flats and Stellenbosch area are all extinct, last recorded 1960s. The majority of remaining subpopulations occur within protected areas, including Table Mountain and Agulhas National Parks.
A population reduction of 38-51% is estimated from habitat loss over the past three generations. If recent rates of habitat loss is projected into the future, a population reduction of 50-60% is expected to occur within three generations including two generations in the past, and one projected into the future.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is conserved at Silvermine, Slangkop, Cape of Good Hope, Groot Hagelkraal nature reserves and Brandfontein-Rietfontein Private Nature Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron (L.) Druce subsp. hypophyllocarpodendron | VU A2c | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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. Leucospermum hypophyllocarpodendron (L.) Druce subsp. hypophyllocarpodendron. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/30 |
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