NEW DISCOVERIES
Botany PhD student rediscovers ‘ extinct ’ plant in Piketberg
Riaan Grobler
Web Address : News24 Reprinted From : https :// bit . ly / 3n4yIYu
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PhD Botany candidate , while travelling to Piketberg to do field work , has rediscovered a plant thought to be extinct .
The great rediscovery of the " extinct " ( common names : Versveld Pass Cape Gorse or Versveldpassteekertjie ) was made on 24 October by Brian du Preez .
According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute ( Sanbi ), was one of over 300 species belonging to the same genus of plants as South Africa ' s world renowned and popular Rooibos tea .
This species was first collected in 1934 at the base of the Versveld Pass , just outside of Piketberg .
The species had subsequently not been located since the initial collection , despite numerous searches of it in the surrounding area .
The species was likely still endangered due to its supposedly small distribution range , including being a habitat specialist within this small area .
Although only two plants were spotted by Du Preez , the plants were likely to be more prevalent after a much-needed ecological burn of the slopes on Piketberg Pass .
The true extent of the population would only be determined approximately three years post-fire when they would have regenerated and started flowering
Figure 1 : The Versveld Pass Cape Gorse was thought to be extinct .
Grassroots Vol 20 No 4 December 2020 42