Phylica ericoides

Phylica ericoides is a small, evergreen, branched shrub with erect stems. It may grow to a height of 1 m. There are five recognised varieties.

Clusters of the small white flowerheads are present at branch tips throughout the year, more in winter. The flowerheads are based on small involucres of tiny scale-like bracts.

The leaves are dark green and heath-like; narrow to needle-like with the edges rolled under.

The species distribution ranges across the Western Cape, four of the five varieties confined to the province and only one also occurring in the Eastern Cape.

The habitat includes various ecological niches, including west coast fynbos, montane fynbos and dune scrub. None of the five varieties is considered threatened in habitat early in the twenty first century (Bean and Johns, 2005; iNaturalist; www.redlist.sanbi.org).