Erica abietina subsp. abietina

Erica abietina subsp. abietina, also known as red heath, is an upright shrub reaching 1,5 m. The leaves are needle-like and whorled densely around upper stems. The name abietina links the species to fir trees, based on the resemblance of the leaves to fir tree needles.

The tubular flowers are long, thin and slightly down-curved. They are bright red, becoming up to 26 mm long. The flower tubes are sticky and the anthers may protrude. Flowering happens all year round, more from summer to winter. The photo was taken during March when profuse flowering took place.

The subspecies distribution is coastal in the Western Cape from the Cape Peninsula to around Mossel Bay and inland in a westerly part. It is often seen on higher slopes of Table Mountain. The photo was taken in Kirstenbosch.

The habitat is fynbos on sandstone slopes. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Manning and Helme, 2024; Manning, 2007; iNaturalist; https://pza.sanbi.org; http://redlist.sanbi.org).