Erica perspicua subs. latifolia flowering white

The white, hairy Erica perspicua subsp. latifolia flowers grow at the tips of numerous small side-branchlets near the bigger stem-tips. The Afrikaans common name is veerheide (feather heath), somewhat descriptive of the inflorescences.

The widening of the corolla tubes take place very near their mouths on the plant in picture. The buds end almost club-shaped, the open flowers having four shallowly out-curved and rounded lobes. The tubes are from less than 1 cm to 2,5 cm long.

On bushes not flowering white the corolla lobes are usually paler. Plants found on higher slopes usually have deeper corolla colouring.

The dark anthers are visible in the mouths in picture but not exserted. The specific name, perspicua, is derived from the Latin word perspicuus meaning transparent or clear, referring to the corolla translucence. 

The plants only grow from the Onrusrivier Mountains to Stanford. The photo was taken at Varksnoet east of Hermanus.

The habitat is damp fynbos from sea level to upper mountain slopes. The subspecies is considered vulnerable due to urban development and too frequent fires (Marais, (Ed.), 2017; Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Andrew, 2017; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).