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Scientific Name | Erica ixanthera Benth. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(ii) |
Assessment Date | 2013/11/27 |
Assessor(s) | R.C. Turner, E.G.H. Oliver, D. Turner & L. von Staden |
Justification | Localized species (EOO <10 km² and AOO <1 km²) and currently known from a single kloof where it is threatened by competition from alien invasive plants, although historical records indicate that it may also occur in similar habitat nearby. Monitoring indicates that the population, estimated to consist of fewer than 1000 mature individuals in a single subpopulation, continues to decline. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | Around Corente River Dam on the lower slopes of the Langeberg Mountains near Riversdale. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | Wet, peaty rock faces near waterfalls. |
Threats |
| Escaping pine seedlings from nearby timber plantations have overrun the habitat of this localized species, and is causing the only known, small population to decline (D. Turner pers. obs.). This species is also potentially threatened by too frequent fire: the area has burnt twice within eight years. |
Population |
Only one small subpopulation of fewer than 1000 mature individuals is known, and monitoring by volunteers of the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) Programme indicate that it is declining. It possibly still occurs further up the valley, where it is known from historical collections, but impenetrable alien plants make this area very difficult to reach for surveys (D. Turner pers. comm.).
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| Not currently conserved in any formally protected area. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica ixanthera Benth. | EN B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v); C2a(ii) | 2014.1 | | Erica ixanthera Benth. | VU D1+2 | 2013.1 | | Erica ixanthera Benth. | VU D1+2 | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Erica ixanthera Benth. | Vulnerable | 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.
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Citation |
| Turner, R.C., Oliver, E.G.H., Turner, D. & von Staden, L. 2013. Erica ixanthera Benth. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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