Polhillia ignota | |
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Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Polhillia |
Species: | P. ignota
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Binomial name | |
Polhillia ignota | |
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Polhillia ignota is a species of flowering plant in the genus Polhillia. [2] Prior to its rediscovery in September 2016, it was known from two specimens, [3] and declared extinct in 2014. There are only 13 plants known, on a small renosterveld fragment less than 3 ha (7.4 acres) in size. [4] It is endemic to Eendekuil, in the Western Cape. [1]
Polhillia ignota is found from northern Swartland, between Vredenburg, Eendekuil and Porterville. [1] [5]
Polhillia ignota is a large, rounded shrub, up to 1 m in height. Its inflorescences are yellow. [4]
Polhillia ignota is classified as Critically Endangered as it occurs in critically endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld, of which only 10% remain. [1] A single, small subpopulation of 13 plants remain in a renosterveld fragment near Eendekuil, with an EOO 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi), and an AOO of less than 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi). The population is expected to continue to decline due to ongoing threats of habitat degradation and competition from alien invasive plants. [1]