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Scientific Name | Erica praecox Klotzsch |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2018/07/10 |
Assessor(s) | L. von Staden |
Justification | Erica praecox is a highly range-restricted species, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1018 km². It is known from fewer than 10 locations and is threatened by competition from rapidly spreading alien invasive plants across most of its range. It is therefore listed as Vulnerable under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the mountains of the Western Cape province of South Africa, where it is found from Bain's Kloof to the Stettyns Mountains above Villiersdorp. It has also been recorded from Brandwag Peak in the Western Hex River Mountains. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Hex Sandstone Fynbos, Kogelberg Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It occurs on upper ridges and summits in sandstone fynbos. |
Threats |
| Alien invasive plants, particularly pines, are rapidly spreading within this species' habitat at Bain's Kloof, Du Toit's Kloof, Wemmershoek and the mountains around Franschhoek Pass. The population is likely to decline unless clearing efforts are urgently implemented. |
Population |
Erica praecox is a range-restricted, but fairly common species, known from seven subpopulations. It is likely that more subpopulations exist within more remote montane areas within its range.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica praecox Klotzsch | VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) | 2020.1 | | Erica praecox Klotzsch | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
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.
Manning, J.C. and Goldblatt, P. 2012. Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region 1: The Core Cape Flora. Strelitzia 29. South African National Biodiversity 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.
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Citation |
| von Staden, L. 2018. Erica praecox Klotzsch. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14 |
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