Erica, the heaths or heathers, is a genus of approximately 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names “heath” and “heather” are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance. Most of the species are small shrubs from 20-150cm high, though some are taller. All are evergreen, with minute needle-like leaves 2-15 mm long. Flowers are usually outward or downward facing and are borne in mass. The plants are grown as landscape or garden plants for their floral effect. At least 660 of the species are endemic to South Africa, and these are often called the Cape heaths, forming the largest genus in the fynbos. The remaining species are native to other parts of Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean region, and Europe.

Erica patersonii, synonymously known as Erica abietina or Erica patersonii var. major and commonly known as Mealie Heath or Mielie-heath in English and Mielie-heide in Afrikaans, is a rare and endangered South African endemic species. It is an erect, sparsely branched shrub growing up to 1 m tall. The branches are densely covered with tufts of dark green, needle-like leaves. The bright, golden yellow, waxy, tubular flowers are arranged in closely packed spikes on the middle to upper section of the stem. The flowering stem resembles corn on the cob, which gives it its common name, mielie heath. Branching occurs mainly at the base of the stem and is woody and often bare.