Epacris longiflora

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information:

Wikipedia links:       Angiosperms  > Eudicots > Asterids > Ericales > Ericaceae > Epacris longiflora

Other links:

Plant  information

Common name:               Fuchsia Heath  

• Also cigarette flower

Conservation status:   unknown

Etymology:   

• The specific epithet (longiflora) means "long-flowered"The vernacular name "cigarette flower" is from the pattern on the flower

Flowers:                  

• The flowers are red with a white tip, sometimes all red and have a peduncle up to 2 mm long

• There are five petals which are fused to form a tube with five lobes at the end

• The tube is 12–27 mm long, 5–6 mm in diameter and the lobes are 2.4–4.4 mm long

• At the base of the petal tube there are whorls of bracts and five sepals 4.5–6 mm 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. 

Fruit:                         

• The fruits are capsules 3–4 mm long containing small, light seeds

Leaves:         

•  The leaves are egg-shaped, 5.6–17 mm long, 3–6.6 mm wide with a pointed tip

• The leaves are thin, flat and have margins with minute teeth. 

Stem & branches:   

•  x

Roots:         

• x

Habit:        

• Plants are thought to live 5–20 years in the wild

• Epacris longiflora is an erect to spreading shrub which grows to a height of 50–200 cm and has stems with prominent short, broad leaf scars

Habitat:   

•  It grows in sandy soil on cliff faces, in heath to woodland margins and in dry sclerophyll forest

Distribution:                  

•  Endemic to eastern Australia

• Found on the coast and tablelands from south-eastern Queensland to Berry in NSW

Species:                     

• World:            S,    G

• Australia:      S,    G

Additional notes:     

• Taxonomy and naming

  • Epacris longiflora was first formally described by Antonio José Cavanilles in 1797 

  • The description was published in his book Icones et descriptiones plantarum

• Use in horticulture

  • 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

Sources of information:

• (2023)