Erica labialis

Erica labialis, sometimes commonly called lip heath and scientifically previously Sympieza labialis, is a compact, erect shrublet reaching 20 cm to 50 cm in height. The upper branches are finely hairy.

The small leaves grow overlapping in whorls of three. They are usually ovate, sometimes oblong, convex on the outside. The upper leaves are sometimes dark red, usually hairless and shiny, the margins fringed.

The species distribution is in the far southwest of the Western Cape, from Paarl to Bredasdorp. The photo was taken above the Hermanus golf course.

The habitat is lower fynbos slopes and flats, rocky on sandstone derived soil. The species is not considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century (Manning, 2007; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; JSTOR; https://www.fernkloof.org.za; http://redlist.sanbi.org).