| Erica mammosa | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Erica |
| Species: | E. mammosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Erica mammosa | |
Erica mammosa, the nine-pin heath, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, that is naturally restricted to the southwestern corner of the Western Cape, South Africa.
It is a shrub, growing to 2.5 metres (8 feet) tall and broad, that produces masses of flowers in a range of colours from light-pink to orange to bright red.
The species name mammosa means "with breasts" and refers to the udder-like tubular shape of the flowers. [2]
This plant is found as an ornamental garden subject. [3] In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [4] [5] Like many heathers it is a calcifuge, meaning that it must be grown in an acidic soil. It requires a sunny, sheltered spot with sharp drainage. It tolerates low temperatures down to 0 °C (32 °F), but will not stand freezing. [4]
