Richea ÃÂ curtisiae, commonly known as Curtis's candle heath, is a hybrid species of plant endemic to Tasmania. It belongs to the genus Richea, which forms part of the Ericaceae (formerly Epacridaceae) family, commonly known as the heath family.
Richea ÃÂ curtisiae is a hybrid species between Richea scoparia and Richea pandanifolia.
Richea ÃÂ curtisiae has the form of an intermediate between the smaller shrub Richea scoparia and the larger erect shrub/tree Richea pandanifolia. As such, Richea ÃÂ curtisiae forms a small shrub of between tall with an erect habit. Richea ÃÂ curtisiae has few branches, with persistent leaves. These leaves are tapering and strap-like, which vary in length from . The leaf margins are cartilaginous and are finely serrated and cutting, and the branch tips contains a dense rosette of leaves. As the leaves age they become brown, and the leaves on the lower two-thirds of the stem are dead and decaying.
The inflorescence of Richea ÃÂ curtisiae occurs as a terminal panicle, a branched inflorescence, which are between long. The peduncles, the stalks of the flowers, are 5 to 10 in number, and are short, between . The flowers are pink to orange in colour.
Richea ÃÂ custisiae has an appearance similar to that of Richea alpina, but it is shorter, unbranched, and broadly spreading, and is restricted to alpine areas in the deep south-west.
Richea ÃÂ custisiae is endemic to Tasmania and is relatively common in occurrence where both Richea scoparia and Richea pandanifolia occur, with heightened occurrence after a disturbance, like that of fire or clearing.
Richea ÃÂ curtisiae occurs in alpine areas of the West and Central mountains of Tasmania. It can be found in sub-alpine woodlands, and sub-alpine heath communities. Richea ÃÂ curtisiae also often occurs with Dracophyllum milliganii.
Richea ÃÂ curtisiae was first recognised in 1971 by Alan Maurice Gray, and was named after Winifred Curtis, a matriarch in Tasmanian botany.