Polhillia ignota

Polhillia ignota is a species of flowering plant in the genus Polhillia. Prior to its rediscovery in September 2016, it was known from two specimens, and declared extinct in 2014. There are only 13 plants known, on a small renosterveld fragment less than 3 ha in size. It is endemic to Eendekuil, in the Western Cape.

Distribution
Polhillia ignota is found from northern Swartland, between Vredenburg, Eendekuil and Porterville.

Description
Polhillia ignota is a large, rounded shrub, up to 1 m in height. Its inflorescences are yellow.

Conservation status
Polhillia ignota is classified as Critically Endangered as it occurs in critically endangered Swartland Shale Renosterveld, of which only 10% remain. A single, small subpopulation of 13 plants remain in a renosterveld fragment near Eendekuil, with an EOO 4 km2, and an AOO of less than 4 km2. The population is expected to continue to decline due to ongoing threats of habitat degradation and competition from alien invasive plants.