Flora Detail
| Common Name | Lip heath |
| Family | Ericaceae (Heath Family) |
| Date Observed | 10-06-2021 |
| Category | Shrubs |
|---|---|
| Catalogue No. | 3309RGu |
| Flowering Time | Spring,Summer |
| Colour | Pink to Mauve |
| Locations Observed | |
| Estuary | |
| Koppie | |
| Nature Reserve | Many |
| Small Holding | |
| Village | |
| Greater Rooiels | |
Erica labialis
Information
Lip heath
Erica labialis is a compact, fynbos shrublet (up to50 cm) in the Ericaceae family, featuring 3-nate leaves and small, 2-lipped (bilabiate) tubular flowers, usually in shades of pink. Endemic to the Western Cape, it is listed as "Least Concern" and blooms from January to December on rocky, sandy slopes.
Key Details:
Common Name: Lip Heath.
Characteristics: Compact, well-branched shrublet, typically up to 50 cm high.
Flowers: Small to medium-sized, tubular to funnel-shaped, pink with 4 exserted anthers; noteworthy for a 2-lipped corolla. Some descriptions note yellow flowers with a dark mouth in certain areas.
Habitat: Thrives in rocky, sandy slopes and flats in the Western Cape, South Africa.
Synonyms: Historically categorized under the genus Sympieza (e.g., S. capitellata), it is now widely placed under Erica.
Conservation Status: Evaluated as Least Concern by SANBI.
Flowering Time: January to December.
This species is part of the extensive Erica genus in the Cape Floristic Region, characterized by its unique 2-lipped flower structure.
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