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Scientific Name | Erica gracilipes Guthrie & Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2011/06/07 |
Assessor(s) | R.C. Turner, E.G.H. Oliver & D. Raimondo |
Justification | EOO 45 km², known from three severely fragmented subpopulations, all of which are threatened by invasive alien acacias. This species is also threatened by harvesting for the cut flower industry and by loss of habitat as a result of protea cultivation. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Southern Agulhas Plain. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Agulhas Limestone Fynbos |
Description | Limestone pavements and depressions on limestone ridges. |
Threats |
| Flower harvesting: This highly localized species is commonly found in flower bunches during season, and being single-stemmed and poorly-branched, picking is potentially fatal.
Acacia cyclops infestations threaten this species, especially at Groot Hagelkraal and Soetanysberg, on flats and ridges. Some clearing is ongoing, but a substantial infestation and seed bank remains. Disturbance due to the cultivation of proteas threatens this species' habitat on the Soetanysberg.
Frequent fires are also a threat, the area where this species occurs has burnt twice within the past 10 years. |
Population |
Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Agulhas National Park, although it is still severely threatened by Acacia cyclops and wildflower harvesting. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica gracilipes Guthrie & Bolus | CR B2ab(iii,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Erica gracilipes Guthrie & Bolus | Indeterminate | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
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.
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.
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Citation |
| Turner, R.C., Oliver, E.G.H. & Raimondo, D. 2011. Erica gracilipes Guthrie & Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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