Erica labialis plump leaves

The chubbier forms of Erica labialis young leaves are on display here. Spaced in their usual whorls of three, the common descriptor of needle-like does not do it for these green, micro-penguin bodies. Leaf slits consistently present on the back, they are bent inwards, intent upon something unspecified in their midst. Whatever it may be, it could hardly be anything but the stem that bears them. Creamy fleshy in the case of the young side-branchlets, purplish brown and hairy on the fewer, bigger stems, these stems must be special to be revered so.

The flowers dangle in lush clusters from the stem-tips like soundless festive bells. Four brown anthers protrude from each flower, appearing edible to insects and children… pollen to insects, chocolate to children. Mothers beware!

The hard to believe long white styles have exserted parts, in some cases longer than the corolla tubes. And then the stigmas at the style tips end up quite negligible in size (Manning and Helme, 2024; Manning, 2007; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).