Erica viscaria subsp. longifolia inflorescences near stem-tips

Erica viscaria subsp. longifolia flowers two-tone pink-purple and white, among several colour forms.

The short flower spike is positioned near the stem-tip, the down-curving flowers aiming out, while the leaves aim up and in, somewhat obstructed by the inflorescence, where they may be bracts.

The dull green, rigid leaves are thinly linear to triangular and sharp-tipped. They cover the upper stem densely, their overlapping not neat or orderly as seen in many Erica species (Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Baker and Oliver, 1967).