Erica discolor
AndrewsErect shrub to c. 1.5 m high, young stems tomentose, with short simple hairs. Leaves in whorls of 3, linear, (3–)6–10 mm long, c. 1 mm wide, margins acute or rounded. Flowers solitary in axils of upper leaves, forming subterminal or terminal 2- or 3-flowered clusters; bracteoles 3, approximate, subtending sepals, c. 6 mm long; sepals 7–8 mm long, strongly keeled; corolla tubular or trumpet-shaped, slightly decurved, 25–30 mm long, somewhat viscid, red with greenish or yellow tips, lobes obtuse, 1.5–2.0 mm long, ± erect; stamens slightly exserted or included in corolla; locules of anthers ± free, c. 3 mm long, each with a basal awn-like appendage c. 1 mm long. Fruit not seen. Flowers Jun.–Aug. (2 records).
GGr. Native to South Africa, currently only known in Victoria from an infestation in a wildflower plantation (ie. Protea, Leucadendron, and Erica plants grown for cut flower trade) near the Grampians National Park. .
This species is part of a poorly defined species complex that includes Erica discolor, E. speciosa Andrews and E. hebecalyx Benth. This complex requires further revision, and may contain up 5 taxa (E.G.H. Oliver pers. comm.).