Thirteen years have gone by since the last search for this endangered little plant. Recently, it was rediscovered on Buffelstalberg's slopes.

Western Cape, South Africa (24 October 2025) - For almost four decades, conservationists have struggled to find the rare Erica cunoniensis plant thriving in the wild. A failed search for the species in 2012 had many fearing it was extinct.

Recently, on the slopes of Buffelstalberg in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, a small team spotted what no one thought they'd see again. Eight living plants, clinging to their little patch of fynbos.

The discovery was made during a routine monitoring trip by CapeNature staff and members of the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW). Kogelberg is one of the richest parts of the Cape Floristic Region, home to around 1800 plant species, with 150 that grow nowhere else.

Sylvia Wolita, a Pupil Field Ranger at Kogelberg, was the first to spot the fascinating plant.

"Finding a rare plant species is a reminder that nature is both fragile and resilient. The dedication of our field staff and partners helps us to achieve our mandate as custodians of the Western Cape's incredible floral diversity."

The Cape Floristic Region is recognised globally as one of the most diverse places on Earth, with over 13,000 recorded plant species, half of which are endemic to the province.

It's called a 'kingdom' for a reason.

Keeping it that way takes a lot of constant work - fighting invasive plants, preventing destructive fires, and protecting wild spaces from careless development. But every so often, that hard work pays off, when a rare form of life pops up to be rediscovered by the very hands working to protect biodiversity.