Erica irregularis

Erica irregularis, commonly the Gansbaai heath, is an erect shrub growing lax branches reaching heights between 1 m and 1,5 m. The plant forms part of the Trigemma section of the Baker and Oliver Erica species classification, and the Small Bottlebrush Heaths in the Small-flower Heaths in the classification developed by Manning and Helme.

The flowers nod from leaf axils, emerging at the nodes in groups of different size in an erect inflorescence resembling a raceme.

The species distribution is from Stanford to Gansbaai, the plant a Western Cape endemic.

The habitat is Agulhas limestone fynbos flats near the coast and Overberg dune strandveld, where the sandy soils are alkaline to neutral. Heavy harvesting for flower export combined with habitat invasion by Acacia cyclops and too frequent fires have rendered this range restricted species endangered early in the twenty first century. Harvesting of this plant is now prohibited. A large part of the remaining population is protected in the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve (Manning and Helme, 2024; Privett and Lutzeyer, 2010; Mustart, et al, 1997; Baker and Oliver, 1967; iNaturalist; iSpot; http://redlist.sanbi.org).