Often confused with the pink form of Erica imbricata.

Erica placentiflora tends to be a taller more lax shrublet up to 60cm. Fowers more purple than pink, broadly urn-shaped with exserted anthers; the corolla is hidden within the calyx (calycine).

Latin: placenta = flattened, floris = flowers; referring to the flattened shape of the corolla of this species.