Erica versicolor is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to South Africa's Cape Province.
| Erica versicolor | |
|---|---|
| |
| San Francisco Botanical Garden | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Erica |
| Species: | E. versicolor
|
| Binomial name | |
| Erica versicolor | |
In cultivation E. versicolor requires well-drained acidic soil and a sheltered situation in full sun. It cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[2]
Description
editErica versicolor is an evergreen shrub growing to 3 m (9.8 ft) tall by 1 m (3.3 ft) broad, bearing tiny needle-like leaves and long tubular flowers up to 3 cm (1.2 in) in length. The flowers have a two-tone appearance, predominantly red with green or yellow tips (hence the Latin specific epithet versicolor), and bloom from October until April.[2] The leaves are trifoliate, smooth, and a deep green. The branches of the plant are nearly simple.[3]
Gallery
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Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town -
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Close-up of flowers
References
edit- ^ "Erica versicolor". The Plant List. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder - Erica versicolor". Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ Andrews, Henry Cranke (1804). The Heathery: Or, A Monograph of the Genus Erica with Latin and English Descriptions, Dissections, Etc. of All the Known Species of that Extensive and Distinguished Tribe of Plants. Richard Taylor.