After nearly four decades of obscurity, a rare fynbos species, Erica cunoniensis, has been rediscovered in South Africa’s Kogelberg Nature Reserve. A small team from CapeNature and the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) found eight surviving plants of the species on Buffelstalberg. This rediscovery underscores the global importance of the Kogelberg Biosphere, which is home to over 1,880 plant species and 77 local endemics. The discovery highlights the incredible resilience of nature and the critical importance of persistent monitoring efforts. It also validates the region’s protective zoning, which safeguards this global biodiversity hotspot. The rediscovery serves as a powerful reminder that the fynbos still holds hidden treasures, inspiring continued work to preserve its fragile ecosystems for future generations.
Daily Maverick
