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Erica mammosa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Erica mammosa
Scientific classification Edit this 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]

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References

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  1. ^ "Erica mammosa". The Plant List. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  2. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
  3. ^ "Erica mammosa". PlantZAfrica. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31.
  4. ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder - Erica mammosa". Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 36. Retrieved 16 February 2018.