Botanical name

Erica irbyana

Family

Ericaceae

Common Name

Bottle-shaped Heath
Erica irbyana
Erica irbyana
Erica irbyana
Erica irbyana

Description

Erect shrublet up to 50cm with slender branches. Leaves are narrow in 3's; flowers are large, ampullaceous (bottle-shaped), pale-pink and sticky up to 14mm long.

This form occurs in Hermanus and Onrus; further east the colour darkens.

After: William Henry Irby (1750-1830), son of William Irby, 1st baron of Boston; owner of a valuable collection of rare plants.

Habitat

Lower mountain slopes

Flower Date

October to March