When Erica taxifolia floral colours are gone, the full flower structures of spreading sepals and converging petals may remain in brown at stem-tips for some time. Flowering normally takes place until autumn. The photo was taken soon after in June, early winter.
The stems have not elongated through the terminal inflorescences (Manning and Helme, 2024; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Baker and Oliver, 1967; iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com).