Tree heath

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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Tree Heath | image = Erica arborea.jpg | image_width = 225px | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Ericales | familia = Ericaceae | genus = Erica | species = E. arborea | binomial = Erica arborea | binomial_authority = L. }}

The Tree Heath (Erica arborea) is a shrub or small evergreen tree with a height of 1-4 (-7) m. The numerous small flowers are white. The Tree Heath prefers acid soil. It is found mostly in the Macchia, dry evergreen shrublands, all around the Mediterranean area, west to Portugal and the Canary Islands, and with disjunct areas in Africa including the Ethiopian Highlands, the mountains of Ruwenzori and the Cameroon mountains.

The wood is used for making smoking pipes, and is known as briar root wood.

Other tall growing heaths, including the Portugal Heath Erica lusitanica may also sometimes be called 'tree heath'.

References

• Adams, W.M., A.S. Goudie & A. R. Orme (eds.) (1996): The Physical Geography of Africa. Page 55. Oxford University Press, 1996.

Image:Cinerea.arborea01.jpgca:Bruc boal cy:Grugwydden de:Erica arborea es:Erica arborea fr:Bruyère arborescente it:Erica arborea nl:Boomhei