Ericaceae

Erica arborea

Common Names: Tree heath

Plant Form: Shrub to small tree. Size: Up to 5 m tall. Stem: Masses of erect branched stems, juvenile stems have small hairs. Leaves: Long narrow hard, needle like. In crowded whorls of 4 on stem. Flowers: Large clusters of many white small bell-shaped flowers. Fruit and Seeds: Capsules containing many seeds. Habitat: Forests, woodlands, riparian areas, shrublands, roadsides. Distinguishing Features: Needle like leaves in whorl distinguish from native heath and is much taller than other invasive heath like Spanish heath (Erica lusitanica). Impacts: Outcompetes native vegetation, forms dense thickets.

Flowers are small bells

Leaves are very small and thin

Plants have spires of leaves and flowers

Close-up of leaves