|
Scientific Name | Erica miniscula E.G.H.Oliv. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
Synonyms | Lagenocarpus tenuis Benth., not Erica tenuis Salisb., Lepterica tenuis (Benth.) N.E.Br., Scyphogyne tenuis (Benth.) E.G.H.Oliv. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Data Deficient - Insufficient Information |
Assessment Date | 2018/05/18 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Erica miniscula is a very poorly known species, last collected in 1814. It may be overlooked, but is possibly threatened by habitat loss to timber plantations. The population trend, size and extent is not known, and therefore its risk of extinction cannot be assessed at present. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to South Africa, and occurs on the lower slopes of the Langeberg near Garcia's Pass in the Western Cape. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | Its habitat is unknown. It possibly occurs on lower sandstone slopes. |
Threats |
| Depending on the altitude of the population (which is not known), it may have declined due to habitat loss to timber plantations. In surrounding areas and higher slopes it is potentially threatened by competition from escaped pine seedlings spreading through the native fynbos. It potentially shares the same habitat as Erica ixanthera (EN), another narrow endemic collected by Burchell at the same locality. |
Population |
This is a very poorly known species, last collected in 1814. The exact locality is uncertain, it was possibly from the lower south-facing slopes of the Langeberg above the Korente River Dam west of Garcia's Pass (Oliver 2000). The species has very small flowers and is likely to be overlooked. Surveys are needed to relocate it in the wild.
|
Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica miniscula E.G.H.Oliv. | Data Deficient | 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.
Oliver, E.G.H. 2000. Systematics of Ericeae (Ericaceae-Ericoideae): species with indehiscent and partially indehiscent fruits. Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium 19:1-483.
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.
|
Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2018. Erica miniscula E.G.H.Oliv. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/06/01 |
Comment on this assessment
