Rare Erica cunoniensis rediscovered in Kogelberg – first sighting in nearly 40 years
CapeNature and the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) have rediscovered the Endangered Erica cunoniensis in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape, in September 2025. Eight plants were found on Buffelstalberg – the species’ only known population – marking the first confirmed sighting since the 1980s and easing extinction concerns after an unsuccessful search in 2012.
The find underscores the global significance of the Cape Floristic Region, a biodiversity hotspot containing about 13,489 recorded plant species, over half endemic to the Western Cape. Kogelberg alone supports around 1,800 species, including 150 found nowhere else. CapeNature reports that ongoing monitoring, fire management, invasive-species control and responsible tourism are key to protecting such rare flora, with partnerships like CREW demonstrating the value of collaborative fieldwork.
Source: Cape Nature
