Erica tenella many tiny urn-shaped flowers

Erica tenella is not easily distinguished from some other species bearing flowers that are short, dry and not tubular, particularly E. sitiens. To identify this plant, the triangular anther shape with appendages like crests has to be sought for in the narrow flower mouth, as they do not protrude.

The flowers are numerous on short side-branches near stem tips on hairy, red stalks. The narrow ovate sepals curve around the back of the corolla, keeled, hairless and glossy. Bracts are small, veering away from the flower. The corolla of about 5 mm in length is urn-shaped to ovoid, narrow at the throat and dry, i.e. not sticky. Flower colour is white, pale pink or salmon pink.

Flowering occurs all the year round (Baker and Oliver, 1967).