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Scientific Name | Erica pillansii Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(v)+2ab(v) |
Assessment Date | 2022/07/04 |
Assessor(s) | R.C. Turner, E.G.H. Oliver & H. Mtshali |
Justification | A habitat specialist known from a few dense, localized subpopulations that are declining due to ongoing illegal harvesting. This endemic has a very restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 99 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 72 km². It is known from five locations and is therefore listed as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to Kogelberg in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where it occurs on low coastal mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows in marshes along stream banks and seepage areas, from low to middle altitudes. |
Threats |
| In the past, flowers were picked by locals but this activity had not been observed in over 20 years. However, recent field observations confirms that illegal harvesting is ongoing in the mountain behind Kleinmond. This may affect seed production and dispersal.
Hybrids have been recorded for one of the subspecies, Erica pillansii subsp. fervida, with E. fastigiata (Oliver and Oliver, 2005). The extent of this problem is unknown at present but is not likely to be causing any population decline.
There is a slight potential threat from frequent fire. However, the plateau above Fairy Glen has burnt at least twice between 1997 and 2007 and this had no measurable impact on these stands. Plants were thriving (R.C. Turner, pers. Obs. 2007). |
Population |
This species is known from dense, localized subpopulations at Kogelberg. It was noted as locally frequent in a collection made in 1984 by Oliver (#8610). The northern subpopulations are currently stable, but southern subpopulations are declining due to ongoing illegal harvesting. Therefore, the population trend is inferred to be declining due to this ongoing activity.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
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.
Oliver, E.G.H. and Oliver, I.M. 2005. The genus Erica (Ericaceae) in southern Africa: taxonomic notes 2. Bothalia 35(2):121-148.
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Citation |
| Turner, R.C., Oliver, E.G.H. & Mtshali, H. 2022. Erica pillansii Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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