Erica canaliculata, the channelled heath or hairy grey heather, is a South African species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae.

Erica canaliculata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Ericaceae
Genus: Erica
Species:
E. canaliculata
Binomial name
Erica canaliculata

It is an erect evergreen shrub, sometimes described as a tree heath (a term also applied to E. arborea and E. lusitanica). It grows to 2 metres (6+12 feet), with tiny dark green leaves and large sprays of pink or white flowers with prominent brown anthers in winter and spring.[2][3]

The Latin specific epithet canaliculata means "with channeled or grooved leaves".[4]

The species is native to the East and West Capes of South Africa and is naturalised in South Australia.[1] Not fully hardy, in frost-prone areas it requires some protection. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5][6]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Erica canaliculata Andrews". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  3. ^ "Erica canaliculata". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  4. ^ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1845337315.
  5. ^ "Erica canaliculata". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  6. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 35. Retrieved 6 February 2018.