Photo of Erica hispidula showing disc-shaped stigmas (female part of the flower): www.ispotnature.org
Erica species (the so-called heaths) have, over millions of years, adapted the shape of their flowers to take advantage of different pollinators. For example, some have long tube-like flowers that offer a nectar reward to sunbirds. Their beaks are adapted to reach the nectar at the bottom of the tube where it is safe from nectar robbers. Other Ericas have short, urn-like flowers that are suited to bee pollinators. The bottle-shaped Erica flowers with star-shaped mouths attract flies and butterflies with long proboscises (mouthparts),and some Erica flowers have sticky, disc-shaped stigmas to receive wind-borne pollen.