Taxonomy
Scientific Name
Erica pilulifera L.
Higher Classification
Dicotyledons
Family
ERICACEAE
National Status
Status and Criteria
Vulnerable D2
Assessment Date
2007/02/10
Assessor(s)
R.C. Turner & E.G.H. Oliver
Justification
A range-restricted habitat specialist, EOO and AOO <4 km², with five known locations. Parts of the habitat is frequented by hikers, and one subpopulation near a hikers' hut has declined due to trampling. It is not currently declining, but further trampling remains a potential threat.
Distribution
Endemism
South African endemic
Provincial distribution
Western Cape
Range
Table Mountain.
Habitat and Ecology
Major system
Terrestrial
Major habitats
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, Peninsula Granite Fynbos
Description
Seepage areas in fynbos.
Threats
Another extremely localized Erica species, occurring near a hikers' hut on Table Mountain frequented by large numbers of visitors. Trampling of plants have caused the loss of some individuals in the past, but boardwalks have been constructed to lessen impact. The habitat and population however remains vulnerable to further degradation.
Population
Population trend
Stable
Conservation
Protected in the Table Mountain National Park, but dependent on effective conservation management.
Assessment History
Taxon assessed
Status and Criteria
Citation/Red List version
Erica pilulifera L.VU D2Raimondo et al. (2009)
Erica pilulifera L.Endangered Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Erica pilulifera L.Endangered Hall et al. (1980)
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.


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.


Helme, N.A. and Trinder-Smith, T.H. 2006. The endemic flora of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 72(2):205-210.


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.


Citation
Turner, R.C. & Oliver, E.G.H. 2007. Erica pilulifera L. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14

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Distribution map

© C. Merry

© C. Merry

© C. Merry


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