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Scientific Name | Erica unicolor J.C.Wendl. subsp. georgensis E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | ERICACEAE |
Common Names | Onecolour George Heath (e) |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) |
Assessment Date | 2022/09/07 |
Assessor(s) | F. Munro & L. von Staden |
Justification | A range-restricted endemic taxon that has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 320 km². The majority of the population occurs within the Outeniqua Nature Reserve (previously Witfontein). There is ongoing habitat degradation by invasive vegetation that has increased in density after the 2018 fires. It is therefore listed as Endangered under criterion B. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Western Cape |
Range | This endemic taxon is found on the Outeniqua Mountains above George in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | South Outeniqua Sandstone Fynbos |
Description | It grows on south facing sandstone slopes and near streams. |
Threats |
| Some older collections, e.g., Meyer STEU 10963 from Blanco, indicate that this taxon may also have occurred on lower slopes and flats around George, where it is now probably extinct due to habitat loss to agriculture and forestry plantations. Recent records confirm the presence of moderate to severe encroachment by invasive alien vegetation. Individuals on the lower slopes are more severely affected by the spread of invasive plants, including pines, hakea, and acacias. After the 2018 fires, invasive plants encroached on the habitat in which this taxon occurs. |
Population |
The population may have declined in the past due to habitat loss on the lower slopes and flats around George. The remaining subpopulations all occur within protected montane areas and are inferred to be declining due to moderate to severe infestations of invasive species.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Notes |
| This taxon can be sympatric with E. discolor variant C (E. hebecalyx). Hybrids have been noted on the northern side of the Montagu Pass. Some collections exhibit ciliate corolla lobes (Oliver and Oliver 2005). |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Erica unicolor J.C.Wendl. subsp. georgensis E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. | Critically Rare | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
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.
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Citation |
| Munro, F. & von Staden, L. 2022. Erica unicolor J.C.Wendl. subsp. georgensis E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/06 |
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