Cranberry Heath - native (Styphelia humifusa)

Family: Ericaceae (Erica family).

Moderately common.

Identification

• it is a prostrate mat-forming plant
• the leaves are blue-green and taper to an extended point
• the flowers are red and tubular
• it flowers in autumn, usually after rain.

When in flower, the red-tubular flowers and the prostrate habit make this an easlily recognised plant. When not in flower, the mat-forming habit, the bluish leaves and the extended leaf-apex distinguish Cranberry Heath from other local mat-forming plants.

Photos 1 and 2: Muckleford.
3: Cranberry Heath in fruit. Photo 3: Max Schlachter.