Studies in the Ericoideae ( Ericaceae ) . XIII . Three new species of Erica from the southwestern Cape

With the recent inclusion of the genus  Blaeria under Erica , three new species, formerly regarded as ‘incertae’ in that genus, are now described: Erica chiroptera E.G.H. Oliver from the Kogelberg Reserve, Erica hermani E.G.H. Oliver and Erica ioniana E.G.H. Oliver, both highly localised endemics from Hermanus.


INTRODUCTION
The genus Blaeria L. was recognised for over two centuries as separate from Erica L. based on the single character difference of four as opposed to eight stamens in the latter.In a recent paper (Oliver in press) it is shown that there is an overlap between the two genera and that there is a clear case for regarding Blaeria as polyphyletic.As a result the genus Blaeria is being reduced to synonymy under Erica (Oliver 1993).

Material which had been placed in the 'incertae' under
Blaeria and which clearly constituted several new taxa, has remained undescribed because o f the problem with the delimitation of Blaeria.These taxa are now described in this paper.

T Y PE
The species is confined to the Kogelberg Reserve between Grabouw and Bettys Bay (Figure 2) where it grows in sandy quartzitic ground with short restiads.In the population of the above two species a few plants with slightly different looking flowers were noted and on close examination were found to be intermediates between the two.The possession of nonviable pollen strongly suggested a hybrid origin for these plants., BOL, E,  G, K, MEL, MO, NY, P, PRE, S, STE, W

Figure 3 .
Erica hermani is allied to the variable and widespread E. equisetifolia, formerly Blaeria equisetifolia (Salisb.)G. Don and now including Blaeria dumosa Wendl.(Oliver 1993).It differs in having constantly eight stamens with black, strigose, muticous anthers which are shed very soon after anthesis; the flowers are also open-campanulate as opposed to tubular.The shedding of the anthers leaves the black-tipped filaments clearly visible in the mouth of the corolla.The anthers of E. equisetifolia are variable in shape being mostly long and narrow with decurrent awns in the plants from the Hermanus area.Plants from the inland mountains, formerly referred to Blaeria campanula ta Benth.and now placed under E. equisetifolia (Oliver 1993), have rather similar anthers to E. hermani but with decurrent awns.This species is very restricted, occurring only on the sandy coastal flats near the entrance to the Fernkloof Nature Reserve at Hermanus, hence the specific epithet, (Figure 2) where it is locally common in remnant patches of fynbos.There it co-exists with plants of E. equisetifolia which looks remarkably similar, but is easily distinguished on close examination of the flowers.

Figure 4 .
This distinct species was brought to my attention byDr Ion Williams of Hermanus (after whom the species is named) who is undertaking surveys of his Vogelgat Reserve in the Klein River Mountains above Hermanus.He assumed the plant to be, from the description, Blaeria affinis N.E.Br. which is known only from the type collection made in Vogelgat by Schlechter.This latter species was reduced to synonymy under E. ericoides (L.) E.G.H. Oliver (= B. ericoides L.) by Aim & Fries (1924).I have found that Schlechter's collection is just a depauperate form of the common species.A visit to the area revealed that Williams' populations were a distinct new species with an unusual habit.The plants are low, compact and rounded with the flowers arranged in pendent heads such that they are not easily noticeable when the plants are in full bloom.The pale colour of the corolla and the long hairs of the calyces in the heads of flowers also help to make the flowers less visible.In these respects the species is unlike any other in the area.The other species there with capitate inflores cences, namely E. ericoides, E. russakiana and E. barbigeroides E.G.H. Oliver, have the branches spreading or erect and different, dark brown, basally winged or appendiculate, exserted anthers.The anthers in E. ioniana are pale yellowish brown, muticous, included and are narrowed in at the base.They are very similar to those found in E. multiflexuosa E.G.H. Oliver, a restricted endemic near Steenbras Dam.The species is restricted to level sandy places in and near the Vogelgat Reserve, Hermanus, (Figure 5) where three populations have so far been found.The unusual habit strongly suggests some form of pollination by creeping insects with the flowers feeing downwards only a short distance from the ground.Williams 3580 (NBG, PRE); Caledon District, north side of Klein River Mtns above Diepgat, 594 m, (-AD), 22-02-1985, Oliver 8688 (BM, E, K, MEL, NY, PRE, STE); Hermanus, Fernkloof, Mt Pustulata, 610 m, (-A D ), 26-02-1984, Williams 3531 (HER, NBG, PRE, P, S).