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Scientific Name | Erica xanthina Guthrie & Bolus |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
Synonyms | Erica parvulisepala H.A.Baker |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Vulnerable D2 |
Assessment Date | 2022/09/20 |
Assessor(s) | H. Mtshali, R.C. Turner, E.G.H. Oliver & D. Pillay |
Justification | A very rare species, known from not more than five locations. It is potentially threatened by competition from alien invasive plants that are spreading and increasing in density in the Riveriersonderend. It therefore qualifies for listing as Vulnerable under criterion D. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Riviersonderend Mountains, from Villiersdorp to Greyton. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Sonderend Sandstone Fynbos, Hawequas Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It is occurs on seeps and moist hollows on steep, south-facing, upper mountain slopes. |
Threats |
| Currently, no subpopulations are threatened. However, escaped pines have been spreading rapidly up the southern slopes of the Riviersonderend Mountains over the past 15 years. Over large areas of the southern slopes, pines are now impenetrable, and continue to spread across to the northern slopes, which were entirely free of alien invasive plants previously. These could outcompete native species in the future if left unmanaged. |
Population |
It is local at high peaks. There is no suspicion that the population is declining, but alien invasive plants are likely to cause a decline in the near future.
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Population trend | Stable |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica xanthina Guthrie & Bolus | Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | | Erica xanthina Guthrie & Bolus | Rare | Hilton-Taylor (1996) | | Erica parvulisepala H.A.Baker | Rare | Hall et al. (1980) | | Erica xanthina Guthrie & Bolus | Uncertain | 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.
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 |
| Mtshali, H., Turner, R.C., Oliver, E.G.H. & Pillay, D. 2022. Erica xanthina Guthrie & Bolus. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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