Erica plukenetii

Erica plukenetii often becomes a robust, erect shrub of up to 2 m in height. The plant was named for Leonard Plukenet, a 17th century English botanist, so there is no revealing knowledge about E. plukenetii to be gained from the specific epithet.

The very long-exserted anthers present a clue as to the identity of the species, as does the inflated corolla tube base. The closest resemblance to another species is found in E. coccinea that has large bracts lying over the sepals.

The plant is found widespread in coastal and montane fynbos of the southwestern Cape as well as on slopes in southern Namaqualand. It is regarded as the most widespread Erica species of the western parts of the Cape Floristic Region, these days subdivided into five subspecies, not all equally safely established in habitat.

This specimen flowering dark pink was photographed on Hoys Koppie in Hermanus during May (Baker and Oliver, 1967; http://redlist.sanbi.org).