About Conospermum ericifolium Sm.
Conospermum ericifolium Sm. is a slender, erect shrub that usually grows 50 to 80 centimeters (20 to 31 inches) tall, and may occasionally reach 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) in height. It produces long, thin branches. Its flowers are arranged in panicles made of head-like spikes, or in dense spikes, and grow on hairy peduncles that are 14 to 46 millimeters (0.55 to 1.81 inches) long. Bracteoles of this species measure 2.8 to 3.4 millimeters (0.11 to 0.13 inches) long, and 1.75 to 2.5 millimeters (0.069 to 0.098 inches) wide. The perianth is cream-colored to white, and forms a tube that is 4 to 6 millimeters (0.16 to 0.24 inches) long. The upper lip of the perianth is sac-like, 1.5 to 1.8 millimeters (0.059 to 0.071 inches) long and 1.6 to 2.0 millimeters (0.063 to 0.079 inches) wide. The lower lip is joined over 0.75 to 1 millimeter (0.030 to 0.039 inches), with lobes 1.2 to 1.6 millimeters (0.047 to 0.063 inches) long and 0.6 to 0.8 millimeters (0.024 to 0.031 inches) wide. Flowering occurs in spring. The fruit is a nut 2 to 3 millimeters (0.079 to 0.118 inches) long, covered with golden hairs. This species of Conospermum grows in heath and shrubby woodland. It occurs in coastal areas around Sydney, ranging from Toukley to Nowra and Jervis Bay.
