Erica unicolor subsp. georgensis

Erica unicolor subsp. georgensis, the George heath, is a branched shrub growing from a single stem to about 1,3 m in height.

The plant produces clusters of narrowly tubular flowers. It is not clear why the name unicolor was bestowed upon the species, as the flowers are two-toned: the red corolla tubes are all tipped by short sections in lemon yellow or creamy green. The flower tubes are straight or very slightly curved and shiny, hairless and sticky; unfortunately a flower photo is not yet available for posting here.

The species is rare from being range-restricted. Its small distribution area in the Outeniqua Mountains near George in the southern Cape has been reduced due by forestry and farming, although the remaining population up in the mountain is considered stable. The habitat is sandstone fynbos slopes in peaty or loam soils. On lower slopes and flats near the town where the plant is believed to have grown in the past, it has become extinct (JSTOR; iSpot; www.redlist.sanbi.org).