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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