Erica lusitanica Rudolphi

Erect shrub to c. 2 m high, occasionally with a trunk > 15 cm diam. Shoots densely covered with short hairs, especially when young; hairs simple, of varying lengths. Lvs in whorls of 3–4, subsessile, (2)–3–7 mm long; margins revolute and contiguous, entirely concealing undersurface; apparent or false margin sometimes with sparse hairs giving a serrulate appearance, otherwise lf glabrous. Fls in lateral racemes; racemes usually densely arranged so appearing as a large terminal panicle. Pedicels c. 2 mm long, recurved. Bracteoles situated near base, < 1 mm long, ± linear, whitish, not reaching calyx. Calyx 1–1.5 mm long; lobes triangular-ovate, glabrous, white, 2–3× length of tube. Corolla 3–5 mm long, tubular-campanulate, white except for rose or pink flush outside in bud, glabrous; lobes very short, very broadly ovate, erect to spreading. Stamens included; anthers c. 1 mm long, dark maroon; awns whitish, echinate, 1/2-⅔ length of anther. Style slightly exserted; stigma obconic. Capsule c. 3 mm long, broad-ellipsoid, glabrous.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Mar.–Dec.