Biology
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The honeysuckle heath flowers from January until April or September (2) (4). Although there is little information on the biology of this plant, the red, trumpet-shaped flowers of the honeysuckle heath indicate that it is most likely pollinated by birds. Red is a particularly effective colour for advertising nectar to birds and the tubular flowers are suitably shaped for the insertion of a bird's bill (5).
Conservation
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Within the Cape Floristic Region there are a number of protected areas (7), and a number of conservation organisations are working to conserve this botanically rich habitat (6) (8). Conservation actions include purchasing land to protect it from the threats of encroaching agriculture and urban development (8), the removal of alien plants, and the establishment of new protected areas (6); measures that should benefit the threatened subspecies of the honeysuckle heath.
Description
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This attractive South African shrub belongs to the Ericaceae, or heath family, and is therefore related to heather, blueberries and cranberries (1). The leaves of the honeysuckle heath are short, or long and needle-like, and in appearance resemble those of a fir tree. The relatively large flowers, 10 to 28 millimetres long, are tubular and sometimes a little flared at the tips with the anthers protruding. They grow in clusters near the ends of the branch tips and may be stunning hues of magenta, orange-red or yellow (2).
Habitat
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The honeysuckle heath grows on rocky sandstone slopes (2)
Range
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Endemic to the Western Cape Province, South Africa (4)
Status
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Subspecies Erica abietina diabolis and Erica abietina perfoliosa are classified as Critically Endangered (CR), Erica abietina petraeae is classified as Vulnerable (VU), and Erica abietina abietina is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the Interim Red Data List of South African Plant Taxa (3).
Threats
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While subspecies of the honeysuckle heath are classified as Critically Endangered and Vulnerable (3), there is no information available at present detailing the specific threats that these populations face. However, the honeysuckle heath occurs primarily within the Cape Floristic Region, an area in South Africa of incredible plant diversity, which is facing threats of urban development, encroaching agriculture, and invasive alien species (6).
Erica abietina
provided by wikipedia EN
Erica abietina is a species of erica that is endemic to the Cape Peninsula of the Western Cape, South Africa.[1] E. abietina includes four subspecies with often highly restricted distributions and distinctive flower colours. Previous delimitation of the species has included a further three subspecies[2] which proved to be more distantly related to Cape Peninsula endemic 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.[1]
Subspecies
This plant grows very easily and well in urban capetonian gardens and is increasingly popular as an ornamental plant.[5]
Gallery
Flowering specimen of E. abietina ssp. abietina
Flowering specimen of E. abietina ssp. atrorosea, in Table Mountain National Park, Western Cape, South Africa
Flowering specimen of E. abietina ssp. diabolis, in Table Mountain National Park, Western Cape, South Africa
Close up image of E. abietina, Cape area, South Africa.
See also
References
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Erica abietina: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Erica abietina is a species of erica that is endemic to the Cape Peninsula of the Western Cape, South Africa. E. abietina includes four subspecies 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 endemic 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.
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