Heath - Definition and Overview

Heath
Erica tetralix in flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Ericales Family: Ericaceae Genus: Erica
Species
Over 700 species, including: Erica arborea Erica caffra Erica carnea Erica ciliaris Erica cinerea Erica erigena Erica mackaiana Erica scoparia Erica tetralix Erica vagans

Heath is the common name for plants of the genus Erica, which are mostly small shrubs. There are over 700 species, of which the great majority are endemic in South Africa; the remaining 70 or so species are native to other parts of Africa, the Mediterranean region, and Europe. The members of the large southern African group are often called the Cape Heaths. A related genus, Daboecia, is also often called a heath. The closely related heather, genus Calluna, is sometimes confused with the true heaths.

Erica arborea

Erica cinerea

Most of the species are small shrubs from 0.2-1.5 m high, though some are taller; the tallest are E. arborea (Tree Heath) and E. scoparia (Besom Heath), both of which can reach up to 6-7 m tall.

See also

• Heath (habitat)
• Michael Heath (cartoonist)
• Heath, Ohio
• Heath, Cardiff, Wales

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