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Scientific Name | Serruria cygnea R.Br. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Swan Spiderhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Least Concern |
Assessment Date | 2019/04/15 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Serruria cygnea occurs in the mountains of the Cape Floral Region and has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 5158-6150 km². There are over 100 large abundant subpopulations known, many of which fall within protected areas. This species is therefore listed as Least Concern. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, and is found in the Sandveld, Cederberg, Slanghoek and Hex River Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | North Hex Sandstone Fynbos, Winterhoek Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos, Breede Shale Fynbos, Kouebokkeveld Shale Fynbos, Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation, Northern Inland Shale Band Vegetation, Swartland Alluvium Fynbos, Breede Alluvium Fynbos, Kouebokkeveld Alluvium Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in sandstone fynbos and also grows on montane shale bands, 200-1700 m. It is a long-lived species, 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 |
| Most of the subpopulations occur in protected areas where they are not threatened. The few subpopulations occurring outside of protected areas are impacted by habitat loss to timber plantations, land pollution and ongoing competition from alien species invasion. |
Population |
This species occurs abundantly in dense populations or isolated patches of scattered plants (Rebelo, 2001). A small proportion of the population that occurs outside of reserves is declining.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria cygnea R.Br. | Least Concern | 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. 2019. Serruria cygnea R.Br. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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