Ericaceae

Erica lusitanica

Common Names: Spanish heath?

Plant Form: Upright heathy shrub. Size: Up to 1.5 m tall. Stem: Young stems green and hairy, older stems woody and thick. Leaves: In whorls of 3 or 4 at stem nodes, small green and narrow to 7 mm long. Flowers: Bell shaped, white or pinkish, in clusters of 3-4 forming masses in upper branches. Fruit and Seeds: Small capsule to 3 mm long with numerous tiny seeds. Habitat: Grassland and open woodlands, pastures, roadsides, coastal heathland. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from native heath species (Ericaceae) by leaves in whorls rather than alternately arranged. Impacts: Dominates shrub canopy excluding native species, increases fire risk.

Foliage with bell flowers

Foliage

Branches often layered

Buds can be pink