taxonID	type	description	language	source
9651A82052D4556798C1372F5A75DC57.taxon	description	Fig. 4	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
9651A82052D4556798C1372F5A75DC57.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Erica arida matches characters exhibited in E. tenuicaulis, from which it differs in leaf shape (saddle-shaped, as opposed to broadly linear in E. tenuicaulis), its straight style (curved in E. tenuicaulis) and staminal filaments approximately 3 times as long as the anthers (as long as the anthers in E. tenuicaulis).	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
9651A82052D4556798C1372F5A75DC57.taxon	description	Description. Rounded to semi-spreading, resprouting shrublet up to 30 cm tall, rootstock thick. Branches twiggy, erect, glabrous; secondary branches erect or ascending, sparsely stipitate-glandular. Leaves 3 - nate, erect to spreading, ovate to subcordate, saddle-shaped, blades 2.5 – 4.0 × 1.0 – 1.5 mm, acute; adaxially convex, glabrous, margins revolute, rarely sparsely ciliolate; abaxially deeply sulcate, densely hispidulous within sulcus with simple, eglandular hairs; petiole ± 1 mm long, occasionally loosely decurrent, margins ciliolate. Inflorescence of 3 - nate flowers at ends of short side branches; pedicel 3.0 – 4.0 mm long, pale green to pink, viscid, sessile- and stipitate-glandular; bracteoles 2, opposite, median to submedian, oblong to shortly lanceolate, ± 0.75 mm long, subacute, sessile-glandular, glabrous but margins sparsely ciliolate at base, green and slightly sulcate towards abaxial apex; bract partially recaulescent, submedian, lanceolate, acute, sessile-glandular, margin sparsely ciliolate towards base. Calyx 4 - lobed, sepals connate at base, lanceolate, 1.25 – 1.5 mm long, acute; abaxially glabrous, apex sulcate, the sulcus shortly villous; adaxially glabrous; margins sessile-glandular. Corolla campanulate to shortly urceolate with slightly constricted throat, 3.0 – 4.0 × 3.0 – 4.0 mm, white, glabrous, dry; lobes erect to spreading, ± 0.5 mm long, acute, minutely serrated. Stamens 8, free, included, filaments flat, ± 2.5 mm long, glabrous, white turning golden reddish distally; anthers ± 0.8 mm long, obcuneate, dorsifixed at base, bipartite, thecae erect, free, muticous, dark brown; pore ± 0.3 mm long, oval. Ovary 4 - locular, shortly oblong, ± 0.8 mm long, slightly emarginate, red to purplish, hispid with long, simple, eglandular hairs; ovules ± 20 per locule; placenta apical; nectaries basal, green; style ± 3.5 mm long, glabrous, pale pink turning dark red or black towards stigma, exserted; stigma dark red to black, subcapitate. Fruit and seeds not seen. Flowering time: December to February.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
9651A82052D4556798C1372F5A75DC57.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. Erica arida is known only from the mountains north of the Doringrivier Catchment Area east of Barrydale in the Western Cape. It has been recorded from a ridgeline at an altitude of 1190 m in Northern Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos (Mucina and Rutherford 2006), growing in association with Erica barrydalensis, as well as on the middle south-facing slopes as low as 516 m growing in association with Phylica mairei, Erica vestita and Cliffortia pulchella. It has not been recorded from the north-facing slopes.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
9651A82052D4556798C1372F5A75DC57.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Erica arida is named for the seasonal aridity seen during its flowering months in the part of the Klein Karoo where it occurs; from the Latin, arida, for dry or arid.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
345EC13EC5A957F3B39393AA265D260F.taxon	description	Fig. 5	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
345EC13EC5A957F3B39393AA265D260F.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Erica hessequae matches characteristics exhibited in E. hispidula, E. oakesiorum, E. rivularis, E. tegetiformis, E. umbratica and E. woodii. It can be distinguished from all these taxa by its ovate leaves (linear, linear-lanceolate or lanceolate in all). It is further distinguished by its glandular pedicel, sepals, bract and bracteoles (all eglandular in E. magistrati, E. oakesiorum and E. tegetiformis); by its subcapitate stigma (peltate in E. hispidula; simple in E. rivularis and E. tegetiformis), and by its densely lanate ovary (shortly hispid in E. hispidula, E. oakesiorum, E. rivularis, E. woodii and E. umbratica).	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
345EC13EC5A957F3B39393AA265D260F.taxon	description	Description. Semi-spreading shrublet up to 80 cm tall. Branches twiggy, glabrous to puberulous; secondary branches ascending, hispid with a mix of simple, eglandular hairs and stipitate glands. Leaves 3 - nate, erect, ovate, blades 4.0 – 5.0 × 1.5 – 2.5 mm, acute, open-backed; adaxially slightly convex, hispidulous when young with simple, eglandular hairs mixed with stipitate and sessile glands, glabrescent, margins thickened, revolute; abaxially deeply sulcate, pale, densely hispidulous with simple, eglandular hairs; petiole 0.8 – 1.2 mm long, hispidulous and glandular as for adaxial leaf surface, not decurrent. Inflorescence of 3 - nate flowers, terminal on secondary and side branches; pedicel 4.0 – 5.5 mm long, pale creamy green turning red-purplish with exposure to sun, stipitate-glandular, viscid; bracteoles 2, median, lanceolate, ± 1.5 × 0.5 mm, acute, creamy white to dark pink, leathery, margins densely sessile-glandular, abaxially sparsely hispid towards apex and along basal margin, adaxially glabrous; bract partially recaulescent, sub-median, ovate to lanceolate, ± 0.5 × 1.5 mm long, acute, creamy white to dark pink, leathery, margins densely sessile-glandular, abaxially sparsely hispid towards apex and along basal margin, adaxially glabrous. Calyx 4 - lobed; sepals adpressed to corolla, ovate, 2.0 – 2.5 × 1.0 – 1.5 mm, creamy white / yellow with green tips, leathery; margins densely sessile-glandular, revolute towards apex; abaxially sulcate, with occasional stalked glands and sparsely hispidulous with simple, eglandular hairs within sulcus and at base, otherwise glabrous, viscid; adaxially glabrous, midrib slightly raised. Corolla 4 - lobed, cyathiform to shortly urceolate, throat constricted, 3.5 – 4.5 × 3.0 – 4.0 mm, creamy white, glabrous, viscid, occasionally with stalked glands adjacent to sepals; lobes recurved, 0.75 – 1.25 mm long, obtuse, margins smooth. Stamens 8, free, manifest to exserted, filaments flat, 2.5 – 3.0 mm long, glabrous, white turning dark reddish pink towards apex, apically kyphotic; anthers cuneate, 0.7 – 0.8 mm long, brown, dorsifixed at base, bipartite, thecae erect, ventral surface golden brown and shortly scabrous; awns ± 0.4 mm long, thin, laterally fixed to apex of filaments, simple or rarely with one or two basal barbs, reddish brown; pores round, ± 0.4 mm long. Ovary 4 - locular, turbinate, ± 1.0 mm long, dark purple, densely lanate with simple, white, eglandular hairs; ovules 15 – 20 per locule; placenta apical; nectaries basal, green to black; style ± 3.5 mm long, glabrous, pale pink above but white towards base, exserted; stigma dark pink to purplish, subcapitate. Fruit and seeds not seen. Flowering time: December to January.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
345EC13EC5A957F3B39393AA265D260F.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. Erica hessequae is only known from two localities, some 4 km apart, on the mountains surrounding Romanskraal north of Albertinia — one along the ridgeline leading up to a plateau mountain west of Skoorsteen Peak, the other on Langeberg Peak. It appears to be confined to high-elevation ridgelines where it grows amongst craggy rocks in North and South Langeberg Sandstone Fynbos (Mucina and Rutherford 2006). It has only been observed at altitudes above 1100 m.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
345EC13EC5A957F3B39393AA265D260F.taxon	etymology	Etymology. Erica hessequae is named for the Hessequa clan which occupied most of the modern-day Hessequa municipal area encompassing the Eastern Langeberg Range between the Tradouw Pass and Gourits River.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
DCE98308BB4A53A6B2603C8C2234A4D9.taxon	description	Fig. 6	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
DCE98308BB4A53A6B2603C8C2234A4D9.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. Erica inopina is closely related and morphologically similar to E. subcapitata. It can be distinguished by its glabrous (as opposed to hairy) sepals, the presence of 3 (as opposed to 0) bracts on the pedicel, and its smooth (as opposed to verrucose) 3 - locular (as opposed to 1 - or 2 - locular) ovary.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
DCE98308BB4A53A6B2603C8C2234A4D9.taxon	description	Description. Erect, densely branched, reseeding shrub to 50 cm tall. Branches erect, main branches with many secondary and tertiary flowering branches, pubescent when young with simple spreading hairs. Leaves 3 - nate, erect, imbricate, clasping stems, narrowly oblong, blades 2.0 – 2.5 × 0.6 – 0.7 mm, apex acute, sulcate, glabrous; petiole 0.3 – 0.5 mm long, not decurrent. Inflorescence of 1 - to 3 - nate flowers, mostly axillary in upper leaves, sometimes terminal at the tips of small branches; pedicel ± 0.3 mm long, green, glabrous; bracteoles 2, adnate to calyx, lanceolate, 0.5 × 0.4 mm, with ciliate margins; bract adnate to calyx, lanceolate, 1.5 – 1.7 × ± 0.4 mm, glabrous with ciliate margins. Calyx equally 4 - lobed; sepals adpressed to corolla, lanceolate, 0.7 × 0.4 mm, glabrous, green, margins entire. Corolla equally 4 - lobed, urceolate, 1.2 – 1.7 × ± 1.7 mm, glabrous, yellow green, fading reddish, lobes half to three-quarters the length of corolla, apex obtuse, margins irregular. Stamens 6, connate, partially exserted; anthers golden brown, almost sessile, muticous; pore tear-shaped. Ovary 3 - locular, often uniseriate septa, glabrous, smooth; 2 ovules per locule; style 2.0 – 2.5 mm long, glabrous, stigma exserted, ± 0.3 mm diam., peltate. Fruit and seeds not seen. Flowering time: March to May.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
DCE98308BB4A53A6B2603C8C2234A4D9.taxon	distribution	Distribution and habitat. This species is currently only known from the type locality, where it is locally abundant in deep sandy soil on the ecotone between Arid Fynbos and Renosterveld at the base of a south-facing slope.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
DCE98308BB4A53A6B2603C8C2234A4D9.taxon	etymology	Etymology. The specific name refers to the surprise to find an Erica of this group in an arid inland area.	en	Hoekstra, Rendert D., Musker, Seth D., Pirie, Michael D., Vlok, Jan H. J. (2025): An integrative approach to alpha taxonomy in Erica L. (Ericaceae) with three new species from the Western Cape, South Africa. PhytoKeys 257: 95-117, DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.257.139457
