Epacris impressa

Common heath
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Epacris
Species:
E. impressa
Binomial name
Epacris impressa
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Epacris campanulata G.Lodd. ex Drapiez
    • Epacris campanulata Lodd., G.Lodd. & W.Lodd. nom. inval., nom. nud.
    • Epacris campanulata DC. nom. illeg.
    • Epacris campanulata G.Lodd. ex Drapiez var. campanulata
    • Epacris ceraeflora Graham orth. var.
    • Epacris ceriflora Graham
    • Epacris impressa f. ceraeflora Siebert & Voss orth. var.
    • Epacris impressa f. ceriflora (Graham) Siebert & Voss
    • Epacris impressa f. grandiflora (Benth.) Siebert & Voss
    • Epacris impressa Labill. f. impressa
    • Epacris impressa f. nivalis Siebert & Voss
    • Epacris impressa f. ruscifolia (R.Br.) Siebert & Voss
    • Epacris impressa var. campanulata (DC.) Hook.f.
    • Epacris impressa var. ceraeflora Rodway orth. var.
    • Epacris impressa var. ceriflora (Graham) Rodway
    • Epacris impressa var. grandiflora Benth.
    • Epacris impressa Labill. var. impressa
    • Epacris impressa var. nivea (DC.) Hook.f.
    • Epacris impressa var. ovata Benth.
    • Epacris impressa var. ruscifolia Meredith nom. inval., nom. nud.
    • Epacris impressa var. ruscifolia (R.Br.) Rodway
    • Epacris nivalis G.Lodd. ex Lindl.
    • Epacris nivalis Lodd., G.Lodd. & W.Lodd. nom. inval., nom. nud.
    • Epacris nivalis Graham nom. illeg.
    • Epacris nivea DC nom. illeg., nom. superfl.
    • Epacris ruscifolia R.Br.
    • Epacris tomentosa Lindl.
    • Epacris variabilis Lodd., G.Lodd. & W.Lodd. ex Courtois
    • Epacris variabilis Lodd., G.Lodd. & W.Lodd.

Epacris impressa, also known as common heath, is a species of plant in the heath family Ericaceae. It is native to south-eastern Australia (the states of Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales). French botanist Jacques Labillardière collected the species in 1793 and described it in 1805. Four forms have been identified, but no subspecies are recognised. Growing in heathland, shrubland or open forest, it is generally a small shrub around 0.5 to 1 m (1 ft 8 in to 3 ft 3 in) tall, with small stiff leaves. The red, pink or white tube-like flowers appear from late autumn to early spring. Honeyeater birds, particularly the eastern spinebill, feed upon the nectar of the flowers. It regenerates after bushfire by seed or by resprouting.

A highly regarded garden plant, the common heath was first cultivated in England in 1825; over seventy named cultivars have been developed, most of which have now vanished. A pink-flowered form, often referred to as "pink heath", is the floral emblem of the state of Victoria. Epacris impressa has proven a difficult plant to propagate reliably, which has limited its use in horticulture and revegetation. It grows best in well-drained but moist soil in a semishaded position.

  1. ^ a b "Epacris impressa". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 28 October 2021.