Species

Erica vagans

Etymology

Erica: From the Greek ereika 'heath' or 'heather'

Common Name(s)

Cornish heath

Family

Ericaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs

Habitat

Terrestrial.

Features

A vigorous bushy evergreen shrub to 50-70 cm tall. It has feathery bright green foliage on ascending stems. The needle-like leaves (6-15 mm long) occur as whorls of 4, and roll outwards. The pink or rose flowers (often white in cultivation) are tubular to bell-shaped, and occur as small clusters in terminal or axillary panicles. The corolla is 3-4 mm long and hairless, with long black anthers, 6-15 mm long. Flowering takes place between Dec-May. Seed capsules have not been seen in NZ.

Flowering

December, January, February, March, April, May

Flower Colours

Red / Pink,White

Year Naturalised

1981

Origin

West Europe

Reason For Introduction
Ornamental

This page last updated on 18 Jan 2010