Erica fairii

Erica fairii, commonly called fairy heath, is a robust, erect shrub in the Pachysa section of the Erica genus, reaching heights around 60 cm.

The stalkless leaves grow in whorls of four to six, ascending on the stems. They are elliptic, tapering to obtuse tips. The bright green, sticky blades are thick, channelled and rigid. The rough leaf margins are fringed with bristly hairs. In picture lower leaves become dry and drop off, leaving notable scars on the bare stems.

The species distribution is restricted to part of the Cape Peninsula on the plateau between Kommetjie and Simon’s Town.

The habitat is fynbos in sandstone derived and quartzitic soils among low ridges. The species is considered to be vulnerable in habitat, although its population is stable early in the twenty first century. The problems are frequent fire and invasion by alien vegetation (Baker and Oliver, 1967; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).