5. Well...what about ericas?

No again.

These are small leaved plants (often called 'heaths') with small to large bell-shaped flowers and they are also commonly included in "native" flower arrangements. But Australia has no native ericas although at least one species (E.lusitanica) has naturalised and become a weed in some districts. Ericas belong to the plant family Ericaceae.

Australia has a group of plants which are also often called 'heaths'. These are species in the genera Epacris, Styphelia, Woolsia and several others. These are closely related to the exotic heaths but are currently classified into a different plant family (Epacridaceae).

Members of the genus Epacris resemble the exotic ericas in flower form and growth habit. This is Epacris reclinata [29k]. Click the thumbnail image or plant name for a higher resolution image.