Erica vagans L.

Glabrous shrub forming large spreading clumps with ascending stems to c. 50–(70) cm high. Lvs ± patent, in whorls of 4, 6–13 mm long, strongly revolute and usually margins contiguous; petioles very short. Fls in small clusters, these aggregated into dense terminal or axillary panicles. Pedicels 5–10 mm long, reddish, slender. Bracteoles linear, white, situated in lower 1/2 of pedicel, 0.75–1 mm long, fimbriate. Sepals c. 1 mm long, ovate, whitish, minutely ciliate, acute to almost mucronate. Corolla 3–4 mm long, campanulate or subglobose, pink or rose (often white in cultivation), glabrous; lobes short, broad-triangular, erect or suberect. Stamens exserted; anthers c. 0.75 mm long, black, divergent, awnless. Style > stamens, reddish; stigma shallowly lobed. Capsules not seen.

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

Flowering: Dec.–May.