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Scientific Name | Erica petrusiana E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) |
Assessment Date | 2017/04/20 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Erica petrusiana is a highly localized species, last recorded in 1969. Very little of its habitat remains intact, and it is possibly extinct. Dedicated field surveys are required to relocate this species in the wild. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is known only from the Kogelberg in the Western Cape, where it was last recorded around the Steenbras Dam. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Elgin Shale Fynbos |
Description | It is localized to ecotones between stony shale and sandstone on lower slopes and ridges, around 300 m. |
Threats |
| This species is only known from a small patch of Elgin Shale Fynbos in the Steenbras River Valley between the Hottentots Holland and Kogelberg mountains. At the time the type collection was made in 1969, parts of this valley was already flooded due to the construction of the Steenbras Dam. Subsequently, the dam has been enlarged, and exotic timber plantations was established on the surrounding sandstone ridges, with the result that very little of this species' habitat now remains intact. Remaining, small pieces of shale fynbos around the Steenbras Dam need to be surveyed to determine whether any individuals of this species survive. |
Population |
This species is known from a single collection, dating from 1969. At the time, it was reported to be locally common. The lack of recent records may be due to a lack of survey efforts, but a large proportion of the population may have been lost to habitat destruction. Field surveys are needed to relocate this species in the wild.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica petrusiana E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Oliver, E.G.H. and Oliver, I.M. 2002. The genus Erica (Ericaceae) in southern Africa: taxonomic notes 1. Bothalia 32(1):37-61.
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 |
| von Staden, L. 2017. Erica petrusiana E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. Accessed on 2023/12/04 |
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