Erica discolor introverted leaves, cautious colours

The leaves of this Erica discolor plant ascend close together and close to the stems. Maybe the timid stance retains more moisture? The leaves grow more densely on the short side-branchlets than on the partly bare stem in picture, much longer, woodier and purplish grey.

The flower tubes are pale, their tips cream. If the leaves aim inwards, the flowers follow suit by avoiding boldness in colour?

The sepals behind every corolla tube are discoloured as is usual. They are markedly triangular, wider-based than the needle-like leaves (Manning and Helme, 2024; Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; iNaturalist).