Epacris longiflora, commonly known as the fuchsia heath, is a plant in the familyEricaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is an erect or spreading shrub with egg-shaped, pointed leaves and red tube-shaped flowers which give the plant its name longiflora and are usually present throughout the year. Its native range extends from the central coast of New South Wales to southern Queensland.
Description
Epacris longiflora is an erect to spreading shrub which grows to a height of and has stems with prominent short, broad leaf scars. The leaves are egg-shaped, long, wide with a pointed tip. The leaves are thin, flat and have margins with minute teeth. The flowers are red with a white tip, sometimes all red and have a peduncle up to long. There are five petals which are fused to form a tube with five lobes at the end. The tube is long, in diameter and the lobes are long. At the base of the petal tube there are whorls of bracts and five sepals long. Within the petal tube there is a central style with the stigma at its tip and an ovary at its base. The stamens are hidden inside the tube. Flowering occurs throughout the year, although there are fewer flowers in summer. The fruits are capsules long containing small, light seeds.
Taxonomy and naming
Epacris longiflora was first formally described by Antonio José Cavanilles in 1797 and the description was published in Icones et descriptiones plantarum. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin wordslongus meaning "long" or "extended" and flos meaning "flower". One vernacular name is cigarette flower, from the pattern on the flower.
Distribution and habitat
Fuchsia heath is found on the coast and tablelands north from Berry and as far as south-eastern Queensland. It grows in sandy soil on cliff faces, in heath to woodland margins and in dry sclerophyll forest.
A highly regarded ornamental garden plant, E. longiflora was first cultivated in England in 1803. It grows in a variety of soils as long as the drainage is good, and does best in a partly shaded position. Along with other members of the genus, Epacris longiflora initially proved difficult to grow and maintain on original soil in the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra.
