Erica coccinea, the hangertjie

Some distance below its stem-tips this Erica coccinea plant of the Overstrand region presents short sections of developing tubular flowers, pointing outwards around the stems. The buds still point outwards here.

The nodding or hanging of E. coccinea flowers starts when the corollas push out from the calyces, and the calyx-coloured bracteoles lie on top of the calyces, adding mass. The pedicels may elongate simultaneously, giving the flowers rope. So, hang they must! This is also when the stamens become longer, heavier and exserted from the corolla tips, pointing down. The plant is not called hangertjie (little hanging one) in Afrikaans for nothing.

The lowest flowers in picture are leading the way, some red or pinkish red corolla tubes extending below the pale sepals and bracteoles holding their position (Manning and Helme, 2024; Baker and Oliver, 1967; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).