Research needed to support species conservation
Researchers working with GCC Erica are preparing a themed collection of papers under the title “Systematics, natural history, and conservation of Erica (Ericaceae)”, representing the latest insights and state of knowledge in inter-dependent topics including nomenclature, taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology, and ex situ conservation of Erica species. Showcased in the Open Access, peer reviewed journal PhytoKeys, […]
Conserving the wealth of species in biodiversity hotspots
The Global Conservation Consortia (GCC) aim to pool efforts and expertise across national boundaries and between disciplines to prevent species extinctions in focal plant groups. GCC Erica coordinates an international response to such threats in the heaths, or heathers, of which hundreds of species are found only in South Africa’s spectacularly diverse Cape Floristic Region […]
Where have the heathers gone?
The heathers or heaths include both the small genera Calluna and Daboecia and the over 800 species of Erica. As Nelson and Pirie write, heathers have gone through phases of popularity in horticulture, including bursts of enthusiasm among gardeners both for Northern Hemisphere (hardy) heathers and the much greater diversity of Southern Hemisphere species. Two […]