Erica ventricosa
# Erica ventricosa

Erica ventricosa is a species of plant in the family Ericaceae native to the Afrotropics.

## Etymology

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

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

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

## Ecology

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. This form is no accident, as there are specialist flies with a long proboscis that are adapted to pollinate it.

