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 occurs very near the mouth 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. This subspecies lacks the anther hairs found at the back of the subsp. perspicua anthers.  

The plants only grow from the Onrusrivier Mountains to Stanford. The photo was taken at Varksnoet east of Hermanus. The other subspecies, subsp. perspicua, grows to the west from, Rooi Els to Kleinmond.

The habitat is damp fynbos on lower slopes and flats near sea level and in marshy areas. The habitat population of the subspecies is considered vulnerable early in the twenty first century, due to urban development and too frequent fires (Manning and Helme, 2024; Marais, (Ed.), 2017; Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; Andrew, 2017; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).