|
Scientific Name | Erica pillansii Bolus subsp. pillansii |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(v)+2ab(v) |
Assessment Date | 2021/06/22 |
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. It has a very restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) <40 km², and is known from two to five locations. It is therefore listed as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This taxon is a local endemic of the Western Cape, South Africa, that occurs on low coastal mountains from Platberg to Kleinmond. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows along stream banks and marshy areas on shale bands on mountain slopes, from low to middle altitudes. |
Threats |
| In the previous assessment Turner and Oliver (2007) stated that this subspecies was picked in the past and this activity has not occurred in the past 20 years. However, recent field observations have confirmed the ongoing illegal harvesting of this subspecies in the mountain behind Kleinmond.
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 taxon is localised on streambanks, but also occurs in dense localised stands. Populations are restricted and ongoing illegal harvesting is causing population decline.
|
Population trend | Decreasing |
Conservation |
| It is conserved in Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica pillansii Bolus subsp. pillansii | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Erica pillansii Bolus subsp. pillansii | Vulnerable | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | |
Bibliography |
Baker, H.A. and Oliver, E.G.H. 1967. Ericas in southern Africa. Purnell, Cape Town & Johannesburg.
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.
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.
|
Citation |
| Turner, R.C., Oliver, E.G.H. & Mtshali, H. 2021. Erica pillansii Bolus subsp. pillansii. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
Comment on this assessment
