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Scientific Name | Erica brachysepala Guthrie & Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) |
Assessment Date | 2018/10/04 |
Assessor(s) | R.C. Turner & L. von Staden |
Justification | Erica brachysepala has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1624 km², and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 36-56 km². Five small, severely fragmented subpopulations remain on isolated fragments. The population continues to decline due to ongoing habitat loss and competition from alien invasive plants, and is therefore listed as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, where it occurs from Grabouw to Elim. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Western Ruens Shale Renosterveld, Elgin Shale Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on dry, gravelly flats and lower slopes in lowland shale fynbos. |
Threats |
| Habitat loss, predominantly to expanding crop cultivation, has reduced this species' habitat by more than 75%, and only small fragments remain. Remaining locations are threatened by ongoing habitat loss to crop cultivation, housing estate developments (on the eastern side of Bot River Vlei), competition from alien invasive plants, and severe overgrazing due to overstocking of small fragments. |
Population |
Erica brachysepala is currently known from five small, isolated subpopulations, and continue to decline mainly due to competition from alien invasive plants.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica brachysepala Guthrie & Bolus | EN B1ab(i,ii,iii,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Erica brachysepala Guthrie & Bolus | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Bolus, H., Guthrie, F. and Brown, N.E. 1909. Ericaceae. In: W.T. Thiselton-Dyer (ed). Flora Capensis IV Section I (Vacciniaceae to Gentianeae):2-418. Lovell Reeve & Co., Ltd., London.
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. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical 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 |
| Turner, R.C. & von Staden, L. 2018. Erica brachysepala Guthrie & Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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