Erica nana

Erica nana is usually a procumbent, dwarf shrublet that rarely exceeds 1 m in height. The specific name, nana, is derived from the Latin word nanus meaning dwarf, referring to the the plant's low, spreading growth habit. The stiff, twisted branches are covered in whorls of four neatly overlapping linear, leaves that are hairless.

The flowers appear in great abundance in groups of three or four on numerous short side-branchlets and on short pedicels. The lance-shaped bracteoles are about 7 mm long and similar to the sepals that are a bit broader. The tubular to somewhat club-shaped flowers start off yellow-green before becoming bright yellow. Perianth length is just over 2 cm. The corollas end in wavy edged lobes, the anthers not protruding. The species is very similar to E. foliacea, differing only in the shape of the ovary.

The plant grows in the Kogelberg and around Sir Lowry's Pass in the Hottentots Holland Mountains.

The habitat is sandstone fynbos among rocks and cliffs. The habitat population is deemed vulnerable early in the twenty first century. Although the land where these plants grow naturally is unsuitable for farming and largely a protected area, the restricted range is prone to veld fires and near a large and growing human population.

E. nana is yet another member of the popular Erica genus that does well in cultivation. Either as a pot plant, or in the garden, in full sun or semi-shade, it lasts long although growing slowly. The plants become leafier in shade, while more compact and better blooming in sun. Acid and well-drained soil with mainly winter watering are prerequisites for success (Burman and Bean, 1985; Baker and Oliver, 1967; Andrew, 2017; Hitchcock in Veld and Flora, 1990; http://redlist.sanbi.org).