Pink heath (Epacris impressa or the common heath) is the official state flower of Victoria. The plant is a small spiky shrub that grows to approximately 2.5m high if left undisturbed. It is more usually about 50cm in height. The 8-16mm long leaves are stalkless, oval to lanceate, sharply pointed and crowded closely on the stems.
Australian heath is also found with red and white flower colours, but pink is by far the commonest. The five-lobed bell-shaped flowers grow in dense clusters near the ends of the plants tall stems, virtually year-round. The plant can be grown in a garden environment, and it prefers wet soils typical of its natural heath and woodland environment.
Heath is a member of the Ericaceae family of plants.
A small prostrate red heath growing in harsh conditions
The pink form of Common Heath, Epacris impressa, was proclaimed the floral emblem of Victoria on 11 November 1958.
Common Heath was collected in Tasmania in 1793 by the French botanist, Jacques-Julien Houton de Labillardiere during his voyage with Bruny D'Entrecasteaux on the unsuccessful search for the missing explorer, La Perouse.
Common Heath is depicted in the armorial ensign [illust] granted to Victoria on 28 March 1973 and recorded in the College of Arms, London.
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