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Scientific Name | Serruria effusa Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Candelabra Spiderhead (e), Spiderhead (e), Spinnekopbos (a) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened A2c; B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/06 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Serruria effusa has a restricted range with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3457km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 380 km². A population reduction of 20-23% is inferred from habitat loss in the past three generations (generation length 15-20 years). It is also threatened by alien plant invasion. This species is susceptible to drought related mortality and requires monitoring. It nearly meets the thresholds for Vulnerable under criteria A and B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the mountains of the Western Cape Province, South Africa, where it occurs from the Cederberg to the Olifants River Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Swartland Shale Renosterveld, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Olifants Sandstone Fynbos, Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos, Northern Inland Shale Band Vegetation |
Description | It grows in ecotones between sandstone and shale, 220-1300 m. 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 insects. |
Threats |
| This species' habitat around Clanwilliam has been fragmented through extensive past loss to potatoes and rooibos tea cultivations. Habitat loss continues, causing slow, sporadic declines. The remaining isolated fragments are subjected to inappropriate fire management, particularly fire exclusion, and plants are exposed to chemicals used for agriculture. It is also threatened by competition from alien invasive acacias. Drought-related mortality has been observed. |
Population |
This Sandveld species occurs abundantly, and has at least 53 fragmented small subpopulations. It is a non-resprouter on deep sands and requires monitoring as rooibos tea and potato farming are increasing within its habitat. The population has declined by an estimated 20-23% as inferred from habitat loss in the past three generations. It continues to decline due to habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is marginally conserved in the Cedarberg and Groot Winterhoek nature reserves. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria effusa Rourke | NT A3c | 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.
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. Serruria effusa Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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