Erica verticillata

Erica verticillata is listed as ‘Extinct in the Wild’ on the Red List of South African Plants. It disappeared from its native habitat unnoticed sometime during the early 20th century, and was believed to be extinct until cultivated plants were discovered surviving in botanical gardens in South Africa and Europe.
This species once grew profusely on the Cape Flats, a botanical hotspot. However, agricultural and urban expansion, and alien plant invasions, have led to extensive loss of natural vegetation and the local extinction of many plant species such as Erica verticillata. As a result, the Cape Flats now contain South Africa’s highest concentration of threatened and extinct plants.