erice – heath (Latin), from ereiko (Greek), meaning “to break,” alluding to brittle stems

carne – in E. carnea means “flesh” and refers to the flesh-colored or deep pink color of the flower

Native range: Europe, Africa, W. and C. Asia

Leaves:

• alternate or in whorls of 3–6
• small
• linear
• green
• revolute margins
• very short petioles

Flowers:

• inflorescence located in axils or terminally (spikes or panicles)
• perfect
• small, urn-shaped
• white to deep pink
• 4 sepals, fused at base
• 5 petals, fused, but w/ 4 lobes
• 8 stamens
• 1 long style

Fruit:

• capsules with 4 valves
• sepals persistent

Other characteristics:

• primarily low shrubs, some trees to 20 ft.
• densely branched
• often flowers in early to mid spring

Other notes:

• center of diversity is in South Africa, where ~700 species are endemic Heathers (vs. heaths) are in the genus Calluna, also in Ericaceae

Ecology & Adaptations:

• E. carnea:
  • native to the mountains of Central and SE Europe, often in pine forests
  • called snow heath or spring heath because it may bloom in snow or in spring
• adapted to cool summers – evergreen leaves limit need for production of new photosynthetic structures and enable plant to make use of available light and temperature-dependent photosynthetic rates
• adapted to snow and wind – low-growing shrub habit and small, narrow leaves are suited to weathering exposed slopes and snowfall
• adapted to low nutrient, rocky conditions:
  • slow growth rate keeps demand low
  • evergreen leaves conserve nutrients investment in photosynthesizing structures
• pollination by wind, birds, or insects, depending on species