Bell Heath

Taxonomy

Scientific Name

Erica propendens Andrews

Higher Classification

Dicotyledons

Family

ERICACEAE

Synonyms

Erica dulcis L.Bolus

Common Names

Bell Heath (e), Belletjie (a), Belletjie Heath (e), Belletjie Heide (a)

National Status

Status and Criteria

Critically Endangered B1ab(iii,v)

Assessment Date

2007/02/10

Assessor(s)

R.C. Turner & D. Raimondo

Justification

Five locations are known through herbarium records. Three of these are now locally extinct as a result of habitat degradation by alien invasive species and agriculture. The two remaining subpopulations are small, isolated and severely fragmented and continue to decline due to alien invasion. Current EOO is 27 kmÂ².

Distribution

Endemism

South African endemic

Provincial distribution

Western Cape

Range

Hottentots Holland to Kleinrivier Mountains.

Habitat and Ecology

Major system

Terrestrial

Major habitats

Ruens Silcrete Renosterveld, Elgin Shale Fynbos, Elim Ferricrete Fynbos, Hangklip Sand Fynbos, Western Coastal Shale Band Vegetation

Description

Marshy seeps in fynbos.

Threats

Harvesting [gathering], Habitat loss, Invasive Alien Species (direct effects)

Population

Population trend

Decreasing

Assessment History

Taxon assessed	Status and Criteria	Citation/Red List version
Erica propendens Andrews	CR B1ab(iii,v)	Raimondo et al. (2009)
Erica propendens Andrews	Rare	Hilton-Taylor (1996)
Erica dulcis L.Bolus	Rare	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.

Hanekom, A. 2005. Erica propendens and the Caledon Wildflower Show. Veld & Flora 91(3):108.

Hilton-Taylor, C. 1996. Red data list of southern African plants. Strelitzia 4. South African National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.

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.

Citation

Turner, R.C. & Raimondo, D. 2007. Erica propendens Andrews. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/14

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