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Erica ventricosa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Erica ventricosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Erica
Species:
E. ventricosa
Binomial name
Erica ventricosa
Synonyms[1]
  • Erica densa Andrews
  • Erica dentata J.C.Wendl.
  • Erica excelsa Tausch
  • Erica glabra Link
  • Erica praegnans Andrews
  • Erica venusta Salisb.

Erica ventricosa is a species of plant in the family Ericaceae native to the Cape Floristic Region.

Etymology

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The scientific name of this species is derived from the Latin word ventricosus, which means swollen or inflated. Its common names are Franschhoek heath, porcelain heath, and wax heath.

Distribution

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It naturally occurs on mountain slopes in the Paarl and Stellenbosch area of the Hottentots-Holland range, when the elevation is higher than 300 m above sea level.

Habitat

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Population groups of these plants are normally found in well-drained acid soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.[2]

Ecology

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The corolla in Erica ventricosa has an ovoid-urceolate form and is 12 mm to 16 mm in length, with a constriction at the throat.[3] This form is no accident, as there are specialist flies with a long proboscis that are adapted to pollinate it.

References

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  1. ^ "Erica ventricosa Thunb". The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
  2. ^ Anthony Hitchcock (December 2001). "Erica ventricosa". Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Archived from the original on 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  3. ^ Baker, Hugh Arthur and Oliver, E. G. H. Ericas in Southern Africa. Purnell & Sons, Cape Town, 1967, p. 55.