Acorn Spiderhead

Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Serruria balanocephala Rourke
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
PROTEACEAE
Common Names
Acorn Spiderhead (e)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020/06/26
Assessor(s)
A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden
Justification
Serruria balanocephala is a range-restricted species with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 997 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 204 km². There are no known severe threats to this species, and therefore it is not suspected to be in danger of extinction.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
This species has restricted distribution in the Langeberg Mountains of the Western Cape Province, South Africa where it occurs between Montagu and Swellendam.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos, North Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos
Description
It is largely confined to north-facing slopes, growing in dry mountain fynbos.
Threats
Currently, there are no severe threats to this species, but it is potentially threatened by competition from alien invasive plants and too frequent fires. Field observations noted that plants are grazed by cattle. Climate change models predicted that a population reduction of up to 50% is likely by 2025 (Bomhard et al. 2005), but such drastic population reductions have not yet occurred.
Population

This species occurs over a 85 km-long range and is known from 26 large subpopulations. Subpopulations are typically extensive and continuous. Despite a few potential threats, there is no sign of any population decline at present.


Population trend
Stable
Conservation
About 5-10% of this species' range is conserved in the Montagu Mountain, Twistniet, Marloth and Boosmansbos Nature Reserves. Most of the larger subpopulations are on lower slopes outside of nature reserves.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Serruria balanocephala RourkeNT A3c+4cRaimondo et al. (2009)
Serruria balanocephala RourkeRare Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Bibliography

Bomhard, B., Richardson, D.M., Donaldson, J.S., Hughes, G.O., Midgley, G.F., Raimondo, D.C., Rebelo, A.G., Rouget, M. and Thuiller, W. 2005. Potential impacts of future land use and climate change on the Red List status of the Proteaceae in the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. Global Change Biology 11(9):1452-1468.


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.


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.


Rourke, J.P. 1994. Three new species of Serruria (Proteaceae) from the southwestern Cape. Bothalia 24(1):1-7.


Citation
Rebelo, A.G., Mtshali, H. & von Staden, L. 2020. Serruria balanocephala Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13

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Distribution map

© I. Ebrahim


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