Heath

Heath (erica arborea)

Table of contents 1 Placement 2 Synonyms and common names 3 Species description 4 Habitat 5 Distribution

Placement

Kingdom Plantae

Division Magnoliophyta -- angiosperms, flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida -- dicotyledons

Order Ericales

Family Ericaceae

Synonyms and common names

Heath Tree

Species description

Shrub or small tree 1-4(-7) m; Young twige densely pubescent with short, smooth hairs and longer, strongly echinate hairs. Leaves 3-5 mm, in worls of (3-)4, linear, erect-patent, glabrous, minutely denticulate, rather dark green; margins revolute, contiguous, completely concealing lower surface. Flowers in lateral racemes, usually aggregated to form a thyrsoid, termal or intercalary panicle; pedicels glabrous, with 2-3 minute bracteoles below the middle. Sepals 1.5 mm, ovate, glabrous, saccate at base; corolla 2.5-4 mm, white, broadly campanulate, with erect lobes; anthers included, with flat, ciliate basal appendages. Ovary glabrous; style stout; stigma broadly capitate, white.

Habitat

Woods, evergreen shrub and by streams

Distribution

Mediterranean region and S.W.Europe: