Botanical name

Erica plukenetii subsp. penicellata

Family

Ericaceae

Common Name

Hangertjie
Erica plukenetii subsp. penicellata
Erica plukenetii subsp. penicellata
Erica plukenetii subsp. penicellata
Erica plukenetii subsp. penicellata

Description

Erect shrub up to 1m with stiff branches; easily confused with Erica coccinea.

Leaves 3-nate, incurved, variable; flowers tubular, inflated and hanging on longish flower stalks, pinkish-red to cream; anthers long and protruding from corolla, looking like an artist's paint brush.

Latin: penis = tail, tuft of hairs; -cillus = small; -atus = indicates possesion or likeness; referring to paint brush-like anther tuft of hairs.

After: Leonard Plukenet (1642-1706), Queen's botanist to Mary II of England.

 

Habitat

Widespread on flats and mountain slopes

Flower Date

February to July