Erica versicolor

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 Andrews [1]

Erica versicolor is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, native to South Africa's Cape Province.

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
• 
  San Francisco Botanical Garden
• 
  Close-up of flowers

References

1. "Erica versicolor". The Plant List. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
2. "RHS Plantfinder - Erica versicolor" . Retrieved 18 February 2018.
3. 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.