Erica spp. is an evergreen shrub that hardly reaches one meter in height. However, Macaronesian and Mediterranean varieties can reach a height of more than 5 meters. Erica is a genus of about 857 species[1] of flowering plants in the Ericaceae family.
Most Erica species are native to South Africa; the rest are familiar in the Mediterranean, Madagascar, and Europe. The needle-like, narrow, and short leaves of Erica lead to the adjective ericoid, which applies to any plant whose habit or leaves superficially resemble heather.
Its leaves are typically evergreen, whorled, or alternate, simple, and with no stipules. Its flowers are hermaphroditic and exhibit considerable variability. Often, the petals are fused (symmetrical) with shapes that vary from tightly tubular to funnel-shaped or elongated urn-shaped.
Usually, the corollas are actinomorphic (radially symmetrical) and urn-shaped. Still, numerous flowers of the genus Rhododendron are slightly symmetrical on both sides. Many Erica spp. flowers feature tiny, lobed petals united in urn-shaped bulbs that are generally narrower at the opening than at the center. These flowers vary in color from white to violet and pink.
