In a remarkable rediscovery that has thrilled conservationists, a team from CapeNature has found the elusive Erica cunoniensis, a plant species not seen in nearly four decades.
Once thought to be extinct after an unsuccessful search in 2012, the rare species was spotted once again in September within the Kogelberg Nature Reserve in the Western Cape.
The discovery was made during a threatened flora monitoring expedition led by CapeNature staff in collaboration with members of the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW).
According to CapeNature, the Buffelstalberg section of Kogelberg is the only known site where Erica cunoniensis naturally occurs, with historical records previously documenting around 200 individuals.
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Rediscovery after decades of uncertainty
The team’s determination paid off when they identified eight living Erica cunoniensis plants, a small but hopeful sign that the species has endured despite decades of ecological challenges.
‘Finding a rare plant species is a reminder that nature is both fragile and resilient,‘ said Luke Folb, communications officer at CapeNature.
‘The dedication of our field staff and partners helps us to achieve our mandate as custodians of the Western Cape’s incredible floral diversity.’
Known as the ‘heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom’, Kogelberg Nature Reserve is home to around 1 800 plant species, of which 150 occur nowhere else on Earth.
This incredible concentration of biodiversity makes it one of the most ecologically significant reserves within the Cape Floristic Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and global biodiversity hotspot.
The rediscovery, according to CapeNature, reinforces the importance of sustained monitoring and field collaboration between conservationists and citizen scientists.
‘By combining expertise, curiosity, and commitment, we’re able to make meaningful contributions to biodiversity knowledge and ensure that even the rarest species are not forgotten,’ said Cairestine Lottring, a CapeNature Field Ranger involved in the expedition.
The Cape Floristic Region, located almost entirely within the Western Cape, contains 13 489 recorded plant species, with more than 50% found nowhere else in the world. This extraordinary ecological diversity faces ongoing threats from habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change.
To safeguard this natural heritage, CapeNature continues to implement wide-ranging conservation initiatives, from fire prevention and alien vegetation control to promoting responsible tourism and sustainable land use.
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Picture: Supplied / CapeNature
