Erica mammosa, the nine-pin heath, is a species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae, that is naturally restricted to the southwestern corner of the Western Cape, South Africa.
| Erica mammosa | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Erica |
| Species: | E. mammosa
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| Binomial name | |
| Erica mammosa | |
It is a shrub, growing to 2.5 metres (8 feet) tall and broad, that produces masses of flowers in a range of colours from light-pink to orange to bright red.
The species name mammosa means "with breasts" and refers to the udder-like tubular shape of the flowers.[2]
This plant is found as an ornamental garden subject.[3] In the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4][5] Like many heathers it is a calcifuge, meaning that it must be grown in an acidic soil. It requires a sunny, sheltered spot with sharp drainage. It tolerates low temperatures down to 0 °C (32 °F), but will not stand freezing.[4]
Gallery
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References
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- ^ "Erica mammosa". The Plant List. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
- ^ "Erica mammosa". PlantZAfrica. Archived from the original on 2020-01-31.
- ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder - Erica mammosa". Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 36. Retrieved 16 February 2018.