''Erica abietina'' is a species of
erica
Erica or ERICA may refer to:
* Erica (given name)
* ''Erica'' (plant), a flowering plant genus
* Erica (chatbot), a service of Bank of America
* ''Erica'' (video game), a 2019 FMV video game
* ''Erica'' (spider), a jumping spider genus
* Eric ...
that is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
to the
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula ( af, Kaapse Skiereiland) is a generally mountainous peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of ...
of the
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province of South Africa, situated on the south-western coast of the country. It is the fourth largest of the nine provinces with an area of , and the third most populous, with an estimated 7 million inhabitants in 2020 ...
,
South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...
.
''E. abietina'' includes four
subspecies
In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...
with often highly restricted distributions and distinctive flower colours. Previous delimitation of the species has included a further three subspecies
which proved to be more distantly related to
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula ( af, Kaapse Skiereiland) is a generally mountainous peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of ...
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...
''E. abietina'' subspecies and are now classified under ''
Erica grandiflora''
L.f. (''Erica abietina'' subsp. ''aurantiaca''
E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv.; ''Erica abietina'' subsp. ''perfoliosa''
E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv.) and ''
Erica situshiemalis''
E.G.H.Oliv. & Pirie.
Subspecies
* ''Erica abietina'' subsp. ''abietina'' (or the red heath) is restricted to the
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos is a unique and endangered vegetation type that is endemic to the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town. This type of Mountain Fynbos occurs on very poor, acidic soils but is incredibly rich in biodiversity with an enormous numb ...
on
Table Mountain
Table Mountain ( naq, Huriǂoaxa, lit= sea-emerging; af, Tafelberg) is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the ...
,
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
. It produces rich-red flowers and grows up to about in height.
* ''Erica abietina'' subsp. ''atrorosea''
E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. (or the wine-red heath) is found only in the southern parts of
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos is a unique and endangered vegetation type that is endemic to the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town. This type of Mountain Fynbos occurs on very poor, acidic soils but is incredibly rich in biodiversity with an enormous numb ...
on the
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula ( af, Kaapse Skiereiland) is a generally mountainous peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of ...
,
Cape Town
Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...
. It produces pinkish-purple flowers and grows up to about .
* ''Erica abietina'' subsp. ''constantiana''
E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. (or the Constantiaberg heath) is restricted to the
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos
Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos is a unique and endangered vegetation type that is endemic to the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town. This type of Mountain Fynbos occurs on very poor, acidic soils but is incredibly rich in biodiversity with an enormous numb ...
in the middle of the
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula ( af, Kaapse Skiereiland) is a generally mountainous peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of ...
between Constantiaberg and Chapmans Peak. It forms a small, dense shrub with bright pink flowers.
* ''Erica abietina'' subsp. ''diabolis''
E.G.H.Oliv. & I.M.Oliv. (or the devils heath)
Critically endangered
This plant grows very easily and well in urban capetonian gardens and is increasingly popular as an ornamental plant.
Gallery
Image:Erica_abietina.jpg, Flowering specimen of ''E. abietina'' ssp. ''abietina''
Image:Erica abietina ssp. atrorosea.jpg, Flowering specimen of ''E. abietina'' ssp. ''atrorosea'', in Table Mountain National Park, Western Cape, South Africa
Image:Erica abietina ssp. diabolis.jpg, Flowering specimen of ''E. abietina'' ssp. ''diabolis'', in Table Mountain National Park, Western Cape, South Africa
Image:Red fynbos flower.jpg, Close up image of ''E. abietina'', Cape area, South Africa.
See also
*
Cape Flats Sand Fynbos
Cape Flats Sand Fynbos (CFSF), previously known as Sand Plain Fynbos, is a critically endangered vegetation type that occurs only within the city of Cape Town. Less than 1% of this unique lowland fynbos vegetation is conserved.
Description
This ...
*
Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area
Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area is a nature reserve, situated in the centre of Kenilworth Racecourse, in Cape Town, South Africa. Due to its location, it has been left undisturbed for more than 100 years, making it now the best preserve ...
*
Biodiversity of Cape Town
The Biodiversity of Cape Town is the variety and variability of life within the geographical extent of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality, excluding the Prince Edward Islands. The terrestrial vegetation is particularly diverse and m ...
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5387937
abietina
Flora of the Cape Provinces
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus