Erica

Erica is a genus of flowering plants that includes about 700 species of the family Ericaceae, also known as heather. Plants are resistant to droughts and fires. Most are endemic to South Africa, however, also widely distributed in the Iberian Peninsula and the Canary Islands.

Description

Most species are shrubs 0.2-1.5 m high, even if one is higher, Erica arborea (tree heather) and Erica scoparia (broom Heath), two more species can reach 6-7 m in height. All the species are evergreen, with tiny needle-like leaves of about 2-15 mm in length.

The flowers are sometimes thrust, and sometimes in terminal umbels or in spikes. Flowers are laid face up and others face down. They are grouped in bulk. Are grown as garden plants for their floral effect landscape.

The closely related genus Calluna is sometimes confused with the species of Erica, it differs in having smaller leaves, less than 2-3 mm in length and have a more corolla divided into separate petals.

The plants of this genus are fed to the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Lycophotia porphyrea.

Uses

Heathers addition to its role in forming the arid soil in which usually develops, they serve as food for livestock and wild animals, holding the ground after a fire, fire resistance and regrowth capacity.

Heathers have a heavy strain on land from which branches sprout. These strains have been used in many rural areas as fuel for its high calorific value.

Because of very hard wood and without grains, are also used for the manufacture of smoking pipes, cutlery and other objects.



Source: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erica

See Also: International Flower Delivery, Florist