Common Heath is a small, open, upright shrub found in Coastal Heathland as one moves towards Bells Beach and beyond. Flowering may occur at any time of year but it is at its best through the autumn-winter months.
Foliage is prickly and arranged alternately along the stem. New growth is tightly packed whilst lower branches can be sparse or without leaves.
Leaves are short and ovate tapering to almost aristate (spiny-tipped).
Flowers are densely arranged toward the end of the stems; tubular and pendulous. The most common colour is a deep, reddish-pink but variation occurs all the way from white to red.Some places like the Edna Bowman Reserve in Anglesea are almost exclusively white.
Honeyeaters are attracted to the tubular flowers.