ERICA MAMMOSA

nine-pin heath (Eng.); rooiklossieheide (Afr.)

INTRODUCTION

Erica mammosa is commonly found at sea level up to the lower mountain slopes. The easiest to observe them in Rooiels, is on the lower path in the Reserve. As you come from Ottergat towards the wheelchair path, just before the camphor trees, look to your right. There they are, flowering in their magnificence.

DISTRIBUTION

The flowers are tubular and large and we have observed them above Kogel Bay, on the lower slopes of Rooiels, in Rooiels Reserve, Pringlebay, Harold Porter, and lower slopes above Silver sands.

The red ones grow here naturally. The other colours – pink and cream – have been introduced from other areas.

WHATS IN A NAME?

Latin: mamma = breast, -osus = full; referring to the hanging flowers’ resemblance to a full udder or breast. (Honestly, these botanists!)

In English vernacular it is called ninepin heath because the shape of its flowers looks like tiny bowling pins — long, swollen tubes with a narrow “neck” and a rounded base. The Afrikaans rooiklossieheide is very descriptive.