Erica abietina
Encyclopedia
Erica abietina is a species of erica
that was naturally restricted to the south-western corner of the Western Cape
, South Africa
.
It produces masses of pink or red flowers and has 7 main subspecies
- some of which are very rare. These subspecies are often classed as separate species as they do not readily hybridise.
This plant grows very easily and well in urban capetonian gardens and is increasingly popular as an ornamental plant.
Erica
Erica ,the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance....
that was naturally restricted to the south-western corner of the Western Cape
Western Cape
The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the much larger Cape Province...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
It produces masses of pink or red flowers and has 7 main subspecies
Subspecies
Subspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
- some of which are very rare. These subspecies are often classed as separate species as they do not readily hybridise.
Subspecies
- Erica abietina subsp. abietina (or the Red Heath) is restricted to the Peninsula Sandstone FynbosPeninsula Sandstone FynbosPeninsula 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 number of plant species – many of which occur nowhere else...
on Table MountainTable MountainTable Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top...
, Cape TownCape TownCape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. It produces rich-red flowers and grows up to about 1.5 meters in height.
- Erica abietina subsp. atrorosea (or the Wine-red Heath) is found only in the southern parts of Peninsula Sandstone FynbosPeninsula Sandstone FynbosPeninsula 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 number of plant species – many of which occur nowhere else...
on the Cape PeninsulaCape PeninsulaThe Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km 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 Good Hope...
, Cape TownCape TownCape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
. It produces pinkish-purple flowers and grows up to about 1 meter.
- Erica abietina subsp. constantiana (or the Constantiaberg heath) is restricted to the Peninsula Sandstone FynbosPeninsula Sandstone FynbosPeninsula 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 number of plant species – many of which occur nowhere else...
in the middle of the Cape PeninsulaCape PeninsulaThe Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km 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 Good Hope...
between Constantiaberg and Chapmans Peak. It forms a small, dense shrub with bright pink flowers.
- Erica abietina subsp. aurantiaca
- Erica abietina subsp. atropurpurea
- Erica abietina subsp. diabolis (or the Devils Heath) Critically endangeredCritically endangeredVersion 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
- Erica abietina subsp. perfoliosa. Critically endangeredCritically endangeredVersion 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...
.
This plant grows very easily and well in urban capetonian gardens and is increasingly popular as an ornamental plant.
See also
- Cape Flats Sand FynbosCape Flats Sand FynbosCape Flats Sand Fynbos , previously known as Sand Plain Fynbos, is a critically endangered vegetation type that occurs only within the city of Cape Town, including the Cape Flats district. Less than 1% of this unique lowland Fynbos vegetation is conserved.-Description:This is the richest and most...
- Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation AreaKenilworth Racecourse Conservation AreaKenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area is small nature reserve, situated in the centre of Kenilworth Racecourse, in Cape Town, South Africa...
- Biodiversity of Cape TownBiodiversity of Cape Town- Floristic region :The city of Cape Town lies within the Cape Floristic Kingdom . - Vegetation types :...