Erica versicolor
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
Erica 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
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town
Close-up of flowers
