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Scientific Name | Serruria fucifolia Salisb. ex Knight |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Kleinspinnekopbos (a), Northern Spiderhead (e), Sandveldspinnekopbos (a), Spiderhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Near Threatened A2c+3c; B1b(ii,iii,iv,v)+2b(ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2018/10/01 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo, H. Mtshali & L. von Staden |
Justification | Serruria fucifolia has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 6033-6095 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 984-1008 km². The ongoing rate of habitat loss to crop cultivation in the Sandveld since 1990 indicates that a population reduction of 25% is likely to be reached by 2050, within three generations for this species (generation length 20 years). Based on an overall loss of 56% of its habitat, the population is also suspected to have declined by 22-25% in the past three generations. It continues to decline due to habitat loss and degradation. This species therefore almost qualifies as Vulnerable under criteria A and B and is listed as Near Threatened. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | It is endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa, where it occurs from the Gifberg to Hopefield. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Namaqualand Strandveld, Langebaan Dune Strandveld, Saldanha Flats Strandveld, Lambert's Bay Strandveld, Swartland Alluvium Renosterveld, Piketberg Sandstone Fynbos, Cederberg Sandstone Fynbos, Nardouw Sandstone Fynbos, Graafwater Sandstone Fynbos, Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos, Hopefield Sand Fynbos, Leipoldtville Sand Fynbos, Namaqualand Sand Fynbos |
Description | This species grows in sand fynbos of the West Coast lowlands. 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 |
| About 56% of this species' habitat has already been lost to agricultural expansion, and rapid habitat loss due to rooibos tea and potato cultivation in the Sandveld continues. Additional threats include inappropriate fire management in small habitat remnants, overgrazing and competition from alien invasive plants. |
Population |
Land cover data indicates that Serruria fucifolia has lost 9% of its habitat between 1990 and 2014. Based on this rate of loss, a population reduction of 25% over three generations (60 years) is projected by 2050. The population is also suspected to have declined by 22-25% in the past three generations. In spite of extensive habitat loss, this species is still common over most of its historical range and is extant at more than 10 locations.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria fucifolia Salisb. ex Knight | NT A4c | 2020.1 | | Serruria fucifolia Salisb. ex Knight | EN A4c | 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. 2018. Serruria fucifolia Salisb. ex Knight. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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