Erica caffra L.
hedge heath
Erect shrub, generally 0.5-3-(4) m high. Shoots densely white- pilose. Lvs in whorls of 3, mostly 5-13 mm long, glabrous to white- pilose, revolute but midrib of lower surface clearly visible; petiole appressed to shoot and lamina usually somewhat directed forward. Fls terminal on short axillary shoots, commonly in clusters of 3, but sometimes to c. 20 on a shoot. Pedicels 4-6 mm long, densely white-pilose. Bracteoles 1-2 mm long, narrow-linear, white-pilose, situated in basal 1/2 of pedicel. Sepals 3-4.5 mm long, lanceolate or ovate, densely or moderately white-pilose, acuminate. Corolla 5.5-7 mm long, narrow-urceolate, persistent, usually white, sometimes pinkish, white-pilose outside; lobes c. 1 mm long, erect or nearly so, rounded. Stamens included; anthers c. 1 mm long, probably dark reddish; awns very short. Style = corolla tube; stigma capitate. Capsule c. 2.5 mm long, subglobose, with white appressed hairs.
N.: Auckland area, Te Aroha (Thames District), Athenree (Bay of Plenty), and Wellington area particularly around the harbour.
South Africa 1940
Scrub on hillsides to c. 500 m.
FL Jul-Oct.
E. caffra is one of the few spp. of the genus with fragrant fls.
