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Scientific Name | Erica irregularis Benth. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2022/02/08 |
Assessor(s) | R.C. Turner |
Justification | This species has a limited distribution range and has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 131 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 72 km². It is known from only three locations. It is harvested in large amounts for the cut-flower industry, and requires legal protection to regulate harvesting and halt population decline. It is also severely impacted (past, present and future) by encroachment from invasive alien Acacia cyclops. It is also potentially threatened by a deleterious fire regime. It therefore meets the thresholds for Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape Province, where it occurs from Stanford to Gansbaai. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Overberg Dune Strandveld, Agulhas Limestone Fynbos |
Description | Plants of this species can be found growing on coastal limestone flats and hills. |
Threats |
| This extremely localized species is harvested in large amounts for the cut flower industry, and severe, repeated cutting is causing an ongoing decline in the population. This species once consisted of a single, very large continuous population between Stanford and Gansbaai, but it has now been fragmented by habitat loss and disturbance as a result of coastal development and dense alien invasive Acacia cyclops infestations. |
Population |
It is known from one continuous population from Stanford to Gansbaai, which is now fragmented and declining due to habitat loss and degradation.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Protected in the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. This species has also now been included in a revised list of nationally protected species, and harvesting will be regulated through a permit system. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica irregularis Benth. | EN B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
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.
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. 2022. Erica irregularis Benth. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/07/06 |
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