Erica baccans
Erica baccans, the berry heath, is a species of Erica that was naturally restricted to the city of Cape Town, South Africa.
| Erica baccans | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Erica |
| Species: | E. baccans |
| Binomial name | |
| Erica baccans | |
It is endemic to Table Mountain, usually found on the lower parts of Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos. It produces masses of tiny, pink, berry-shaped flowers and grows up to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) in height. It is becoming increasingly popular as an ornamental plant in Cape Town gardens.[1]
Flowers in groups of 4 are produced at the ends of the branches. Erica is covered in pink flowers from September to November. Erica baccans grows on medium or lower slopes from Signal Hill to Simonstown. Erica baccans is found in Peninsula Sandstone Fynbos, and grows in groups on warm mountain slopes or in moist places at lower altitudes.
The species name "baccans" comes from Latin and means berry-like, which refers to the shape of the flowers.[2]
The species is naturalised in parts of Australia where it colonises disturbed sites.[3]
References
- "Erica baccans L." SANBI. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- "Erica baccans | PlantZAfrica". pza.sanbi.org. Retrieved 2023-10-05.
- Wild Plants of Victoria (database). Viridans Biological Databases & Department of Sustainability and Environment. 2009.