Studies in the Ericoideae (Ericaceae). VI. The generic relationship between Erica and in southern Africa,

Abstract

Problems in placing certain species satisfactorily in  Philippia or  Erica have led to an investigation of characters delimiting the genera mainly in southern African species. The only character used in placing problem species was partial versus total recaulescence of the bract. This separation breaks down completely in a few species in which ericoid and philippioid flowers occur within the same inflorescence. Not all species of Philippia are closely related, some being more closely related to various sections within  Erica. It is evident that  Philippia is an unnatural polyphyletic group. It is concluded that Philippia should be placed in synonymy under Erica.