Flora of New Zealand Series

Small to large, usually evergreen shrubs and small trees, very rarely epiphytic. Lvs simple, linear (or apparently very narrow because of revolute margins), opposite or whorled; petiole short. Infl. usually terminal, less commonly axillary, composed of umbels or racemes, sometimes paniculate. Fls nearly always subtended by bracts and bracteoles. Calyx of 4-(5) free sepals or deeply lobed, rarely shallowly lobed, sometimes petaloid, persistent. Corolla 4-(5)-lobed, deciduous or persistent; tube cylindric, campanulate or urceolate, widened or constricted at mouth; lobes usually < tube. Stamens 8-(10), included or exserted; anthers opening by lateral pores or slits, with or without awns. Capsule loculicidal, with many minute seeds.

600-650 spp., mostly in warm temperate South Africa, some in Europe, especially the Mediterranean area. Naturalised spp. 6.

Of the many spp. of this large genus cultivated in N.Z., only 1 is extensively naturalised, the others described here occur only locally. European heathers will survive quite low temperatures, but seedlings are not often seen even in gardens. Many South African spp. are intolerant of heavy frost and are therefore grown only in warmer parts of N.Z. One of these, E. cruenta Sol., may seed within gardens; an erect shrub with glabrous lvs 6-10 mm long, and a light crimson to crimson-scarlet corolla, distinguished by the exserted anthers and corolla tube 22-30 mm long. It is thus a typical member of sect. Syringoidea to which so many of the cultivated South African spp. belong.

Fls of most naturalised Erica spp. are illustrated in Fig. 57.

Fig. 57. Fls of Erica. A E. arborea; B E. caffra; C E. cinerea; D E. lusitanica; E E. vagans. © All rights reserved. [Image: 4X5H]