Erica plukenetii in stunning colour

These luminous red Erica plukenetii flowers, each dangling from its own thickish and long pedicel, also red, form a cluster that makes a statement over the thin upcurving leaves.

The corolla-coloured sepals loosely cover the back ends of the narrowing flower tubes that are slightly inflated at the base. The sepals are lance-shaped and keeled with acutely pointed tips. They add significantly to the floral allure. Not much is visible of the exserted stamens and styles here yet.

This plant may be E. plukenetii subsp. penicillata (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2006; Baker and Oliver, 1967; iNaturalist).