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Scientific Name | Erica altiphila E.G.H.Oliv. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
Synonyms | Philippia alticola E.G.H.Oliv. |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2022/08/26 |
Assessor(s) | R.C. Turner & F. Munro |
Justification | A poorly known, high-altitude habitat specialist with tiny, wind-pollinated flowers which has an extent of occurrence (EOO) 1236 km² and area of occupation of 44 km². Seven locations have been recorded and there may be one or two more in unexplored suitable habitat. Subpopulations are experiencing ongoing habitat degradation as a result of the spread of invasive alien plants. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species occurs in the Hex River Mountains, Jonaskop, Stettynsberg and Du Toit's Kloof Mountains, in the Western Cape province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Hex Sandstone Fynbos, Western Altimontane Sandstone Fynbos, South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, North Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on high rocky or sandy mountain summits. |
Threats |
| Frequent fire poses a threat to this slow-growing, long-lived, high altitude species. Alien invasive species including Acacia mearnsii, Hakea sericea and Acacia longifolia are causing habitat degradation to a number of the subpopulations. |
Population |
Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| This species is conserved in Milner Peak, Hex River Mountains, Jonaskop (RZE), Stettynsberg, Du Toit's Peak, Du Toit's Kloof Mountains and Brandwacht Peak. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica altiphila E.G.H.Oliv. | Rare | 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.
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. & Munro, F. 2022. Erica altiphila E.G.H.Oliv. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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