Erica cinerea, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1972, Flora Europaea. Volume 3. Diapensiacea to Myoporaceae, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 6

6. E. cinerea L. , Sp. Pl. 352 (1753) .

Dwarf shrub 15-75 cm, of rather lax habit; branches ascending; young twigs pubescent. Leaves 4-5(-7) mm, in whorls of 3, linear, erecto-patent, glabrous; margins strongly revolute, contiguous, completely concealing the lower surface; apparent margin denticulate. Flowers in terminal racemes or umbels; flowering stems with numerous short, leafy lateral shoots below the inflorescence; pedicels pubescent, with 3 small bracteoles appressed to sepals. Sepals 2-3 mm, lanceolate, glabrous, with scarious margin; corolla 4—7 mm, bright reddish-purple, urceolate, with erect to patent lobes; anthers included, with short, broad, dentate basal appendages. Ovary glabrous; stigma capitate. 2« = 24. Heaths, rocky ground, woods and dry moorland; calcifuge. W. Europe, northwards to 63° N. in Norway and eastwards to N. Italy. Be Br Fa Ga Ge Hb Ho Hs It Lu No.