ERICA MAMMOSA

Common names: Nine-pin Heath (Eng.); Rooiklossieheide (Afr.)

MAGNIFICENT IN RED

Erica mammosa grows from near sea level onto the lower mountain slopes.

One of the easiest places to see it in Rooiels is along the lower path in the Nature Reserve. Coming from Ottergat towards the wheelchair path, just before the camphor trees, look to your right.

There they are, flowering in all their magnificence.

DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT

The flowers are large and tubular. We have observed Erica mammosa above Kogel Bay, on the lower slopes of Rooiels, in the Rooiels Nature Reserve, around Pringle Bay, at Harold Porter and on the lower slopes above Silversands.

The plants we see growing naturally around Rooiels have striking red flowers. Elsewhere, Erica mammosa also occurs in other colour forms, including shades of pink and cream.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

The species name mammosa comes from the Latin mamma, meaning breast, referring to the shape of those plump, hanging flowers.

Honestly, these botanists!

The English name Nine-pin Heath also comes from the unusual shape of the flowers, which resemble old-fashioned bowling pins — long swollen tubes narrowing towards the tip.

The Afrikaans Rooiklossieheide is perhaps the easiest of all to understand when you see those brilliant red flowers.

Click to find out more on iNaturalist