ERICA colorans.
Reading edition
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.
Erica, antheris muticis, inclusis: floribus spicatis, confertis: foliis quaternis.
DESCRIPTIO.
Caulis fruticosus, erectus, pedalis et ultra: ramuli numerosi, breves, tomentosi.
Folia quaterna, linearia, tomentosa, obtusa.
Flores fere ramos terminant, racemum longum densum formantes: corolla tubulato-campanulata, diaphana, imprimis alba, denique saturate rosacea.
Germen tiaræforme, sulcatum, ad basin nectariis melliferis instructum.
Habitat ad Caput Bonæ Spei.
Floret a mense Martii in Augustum.
REFERENTIA.
1. Calyx. 2. Antheræ et Pistillum, anthera una lente aucta. 3. Germen et Pistillum, stigmate lente aucto.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Heath, with beardless tips, within the blossom: flowers grow in crowded spikes: leaves by fours.
DESCRIPTION.
Stem shrubby, upright, a foot or more high: the smaller branches are numerous, short, and downy.
Leaves by fours, linear, downy, and blunt-ended.
Flowers nearly terminate the branches, making a long close bunch: blossom tubularly bell-shaped, transparent, white at first, and then dying off of a deep rose colour.
Seed-bud turban-shaped, furrowed, and furnished at the base with honey-bearing nectaries.
Native of the Cape of Good Hope.
Flowers from March till August.
REFERENCE.
1. Calyx. 2. Chives and Pointal, one tip magnified. 3. Seed-bud and Pointal, summit magnified.
This Erica may be considered as an elegant but distinct variety of the E. Linnæa. It is well known by the specific title of colorans, in reference to the rich red colour the flowers acquire as the blossoms decay, which gives a very singular motley appearance to the plant. It continues a long time in successive bloom; and requires a dry airy situation in the green-house, to protect its small crowded downy foliage from the atmospheric damps too prevalent in this climate.
