Erica euryphylla

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Asterids > Order: Ericales > Family: Ericaceae > Genus: Erica > Section: Ceramia

Distribution and habitat

Endemic to the middle and upper north-facing slopes of the Langeberg Range on Zuurbraak Mountain and in the Marloth Nature Reserve (Turner & Oliver 2006). It has been recorded on the Swellendam Hiking Trail, which runs through the Marloth Nature Reserve. Grows in pockets of seasonally damp or wet quartzitic soil mixed with organic matter in shady recesses and crevices at the bases of rocks and rock ledges (Turner & Oliver 2006).

Flowering period

May to September

Derivation of name

Named for the broad open-backed leaves, found in only a few species of Erica: eurys is Greek for broad/wide and phyllon is Greek for leaf (Turner & Oliver 2006).

References

• Turner, R.C. and Oliver, E.G.H. 2006. Two new species of Erica (Ericaceae) from the Langeberg, Western Cape, South Africa. Bothalia 36(1): 33-37.