Erica australis
| Erica australis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Erica |
| Species: | E. australis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Erica australis | |
Erica australis, the Spanish heath or Spanish tree heath, is a European species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae.
It is a bushy evergreen shrub growing to 2 metres (6+1⁄2 feet) tall and broad, with tiny needle-like leaves and pink to purple bell-shaped flowers in late spring. As a calcifuge, it requires sharply drained acidic soil in full sun. It is hardy down to −10 °C (14 °F).
The Latin specific epithet australis means 'southern', referring to its native habitat of southern Europe,[2] including the western Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Western Spain) as well as Northwest Africa (in Morocco).
This plant is cultivated as an ornamental, and has produced numerous forms and cultivars. gaining the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit for E. australis 'Mr Robert'.[3][4]
References[edit]
- ^ "Erica australis". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Erica australis 'Riverslea'". Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 35. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
External links[edit]
Media related to Erica australis at Wikimedia Commons