Erica ventricosa
| Erica ventricosa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Erica |
| Species: | E. ventricosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Erica ventricosa | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Erica ventricosa is a species of plant in the family Ericaceae native to the Cape Floristic Region.
Etymology
[edit]The scientific name of this species is derived from the Latin word ventricosus, which means swollen or inflated. Its common names are Franschhoek heath, porcelain heath, and wax heath.
Distribution
[edit]It naturally occurs on mountain slopes in the Paarl and Stellenbosch area of the Hottentots-Holland range, when the elevation is higher than 300 m above sea level.
Habitat
[edit]Population groups of these plants are normally found in well-drained acid soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.[2]
Ecology
[edit]The corolla in Erica ventricosa has an ovoid-urceolate form and is 12 mm to 16 mm in length, with a constriction at the throat.[3] This form is no accident, as there are specialist flies with a long proboscis that are adapted to pollinate it.
References
[edit]- ^ "Erica ventricosa Thunb". The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- ^ Anthony Hitchcock (December 2001). "Erica ventricosa". Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
- ^ Baker, Hugh Arthur and Oliver, E. G. H. Ericas in Southern Africa. Purnell & Sons, Cape Town, 1967, p. 55.