Goldenbell Heath

Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Erica chrysocodon Guthrie & Bolus
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
ERICACEAE
Common Names
Goldenbell Heath (e)
National Status
Status and Criteria
Critically Endangered B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)
Assessment Date
2012/08/22
Assessor(s)
R.C. Turner, E.G.H. Oliver & L. von Staden
Justification
EOO <1 km², known from approximately 1000 plants at a single location that is not conserved. Alien plant infestations are causing a continuing degradation of this species' marshy habitat.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
Franschhoek Pass.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos
Description
Peaty seepage areas on lower mountain slopes.
Threats
The wetland where the only known population occurs is heavily infested with alien invasive plants. These has been cleared, but ongoing management and clearing is required. The area is also potentially threatened by too frequent fire. Road construction has also fragmented the population and may have had a negative impact on the water dynamics on the wetland.
Population

A very localized species known from a single population of about 1000 plants.


Population trend
Decreasing
Conservation
Although formerly protected, the population now falls outside the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve boundary and is no longer managed for conservation.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Erica chrysocodon Guthrie & BolusCR B1ab(iii)Raimondo et al. (2009)
Erica chrysocodon Guthrie & BolusEndangered Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Erica chrysocodon Guthrie & BolusEndangered Hall et al. (1980)
Bibliography

Baker, H.A. and Oliver, E.G.H. 1967. Ericas in southern Africa. Purnell, Cape Town & Johannesburg.


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.


Hall, A.V., De Winter, M., De Winter, B. and Van Oosterhout, S.A.M. 1980. Threatened plants of southern Africa. South African National Scienctific Programmes Report 45. CSIR, Pretoria.


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.


Schumann, D., Kirsten, G. and Oliver, E.G.H. 1992. Ericas of South Africa. Fernwood Press, Cape Town.


Citation
Turner, R.C., Oliver, E.G.H. & von Staden, L. 2012. Erica chrysocodon Guthrie & Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14

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Distribution map


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