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Scientific Name | Serruria lacunosa Rourke |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | PROTEACEAE |
Common Names | Matsikamma Spiderhead (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(ii,iii,v)+2ab(ii,iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2020/07/07 |
Assessor(s) | A.G. Rebelo & D. Raimondo |
Justification | Serruria lacunosa is a range-restricted endemic with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 8 km², the number of mature individuals continue to decline at one known location. Ongoing threats to this species include habitat loss to rooibos tea cultivation, too frequent fires, mining and road construction. It therefore qualifies for listing as Critically Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is known from Matsikamma Mountains, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Bokkeveld Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs in moist places in sandstone fynbos, occurring at 700-800 m.a.s.l. 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 |
| Serruria lacunosa is threatened by ongoing habitat loss to expanding rooibos tea cultivation; gravel mining (koffieklip), road construction and too frequent fire. |
Population |
This species is currently known from a single subpopulation with four patches that consist of less than 100 mature individuals. The fifth patch at Koelkop has gone extinct due to Rooibos tea plantation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is present at Op de Berg Private Nature Reserve. There are no subpopulations in formal conservation areas. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Serruria lacunosa Rourke | CR B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(iv)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)c(iv) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Serruria lacunosa Rourke | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1997) | |
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.
Hilton-Taylor, C. 1997. Red Data List of southern African plants. 2. Corrections and additions. Bothalia 27(2):195-209.
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.
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Citation |
| Rebelo, A.G. & Raimondo, D. 2020. Serruria lacunosa Rourke. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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