Erica unicolor subsp. mutica

Erica unicolor subsp. mutica, previously E. dichrus, is a branched shrub reaching heights from 70 cm to 1 m.

According to the classification of Baker and Oliver the subspecies forms part of the Evanthe section of the Erica genus that bear mostly stem-tip flowers that are tubular and over 9 mm long. Manning and Helme classify the plant among Smooth or Sticky trumpet Heaths that flower on side-shoot tips in aggregated false-spikes or -racemes, mostly hairless and sometimes sticky.

The subspecies distribution is range restricted in an area of the southern Cape coast near Mossel Bay, Herbertsdale and George.

The habitat is lower fynbos slopes and lowlands in sandstone, granite, silcrete and shale derived soils. The habitat population is considered endangered early in the twenty first century, due to forestry, alien vegetation invasion and farming (Manning and Helme, 2024; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Baker and Oliver, 1967; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).