Erica mackaiana, Bab.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 6

3. E. mackaiana Bab. in Mackay, FI. Hibern. 181 (1836)

( E. mackaii Hooker ).

Compact, bushy dwarf shrub 15-60 cm; stems decumbent to erect, with suberect branches; young twigs glandular-puberulent and often also hirsute. Leaves 2-4-5 mm, in whorls of 4, patent in all parts of the plant, oblong, glabrous except for long, stout, gland-tipped cilia on true and apparent margins; margins slightly revolute, leaving most of the white lower surface exposed. Internodes on flowering stems all about equal in length. Flowers in terminal umbels; pedicels with 1-2 bracteoles in apical half. Sepals 2-3 mm, glabrous except for long cilia; corolla 5-7 mm, bright purplish-pink, urceolate, with patent or revolute lobes; anthers included, with long, narrow basal appendages. Ovary glabrous; stigma capitate. 2« = 24. Calcifuge. • N. W. Spain; three stations in W. Ireland. Hb Hs. Sometimes confused with E. x watsonii Bentham (2 x 4), which differs in having leaves, sepals and ovary pubescent, flowers in a condensed raceme, and anther-appendages much shorter.