Erica plukenetii L.

Bract and bracteoles very reduced, remote from calyx; anthers exserted, long attenuated with rounded apices; placenta covered entirely by ovules abaxially; seeds reticulate. The main variation in this species is in the length and shape of the corolla and sepals, size and texture of the leaves, and in its habit. The flowers are 7-16(-28) mm long with a tubular or inflated tubular corolla with far-exserted stamens. Flowers change shape as they mature, often being rather slender in bud and quite inflated at maturity. The sepals range from 2-12 mm long, lanceolate to ovate in shape with the sulcus as long as the sepal. The plants are mostly reseeders, but can be resprouters in some areas, and can vary from woody, rounded shrubs 0.75 m tall near the coast, to tall delicate erect shrubs in the Bredasdorp District. In the Kamiesberg the multi-stemmed resprouters can be up to 3 m tall. This species is often confused with species in the E. coccinea complex. The position and size of the bract and bracteoles is the most visible character to distinguish it from that group.