Gray heath (Erica cinerea, Sp. Pl.: 352 (1753))

Family: Ericaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 352 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Erica

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. & W. Europe

Description

Gray heath, scientifically known as Erica cinerea, is a vibrant flowering plant belonging to the family Ericaceae. It is native to Northern and Western Europe, flourishing in the wild landscapes and heathlands of these regions. This hardy evergreen shrub showcases a dense array of bell-shaped, purplish-pink flowers that grace the plant from early summer through to autumn, offering a splash of color against the often desolate heathland backdrop.

Introduced to the botanical world in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum,” Gray heath has since captivated horticulturists and nature enthusiasts alike. Its adaptability allows it to thrive in acidic, well-drained soils, making it a resilient addition to gardens that mimic its natural heathland habitat.

Gray heath’s compact growth habit and profusion of flowers make it a popular choice for planting in rockeries, borders, and as ground cover. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the plant plays a significant role in its ecosystem, providing nectar for bees and other pollinators throughout its extended blooming period. Moreover, its dense foliage offers shelter to various small wildlife, contributing to biodiversity.

Despite its rugged nature, Gray heath requires minimal care once established, necessitating only occasional pruning to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged stems. This low-maintenance characteristic, combined with its decorative flowers, renders Erica cinerea a cherished plant for both wild and cultivated gardens.

Thus, Gray heath stands as a splendid example of European flora, boasting both ecological value and ornamental beauty. Its persistent blooming and resilience highlight its significance within the Ericaceae family and its enduring presence across North and West Europe.

Common Names

Deu: aschgraue heide, grau-heide, graue glockenheide
Eng: scotch heath, bell heather, bell-heather, gray heath
Fra: bruyère cendrée
Swe: purpurljung
Nob: purpurlyng
Nno: purpurlyng
Nld: rode dophei
Cym: blodau y grug, clychau’r grug, grug, grug cochlas, grug lled ledlwyd, grug lledlwyd, grug llwydlas, grug y mêl
Por: queiró, urze roxa
Gla: fraoch a’ bhadain, fraoich a’ bhadain
En: Gray heath, Bell-heather, Scotch heath, Bell heather, Heather-bell, Grey Heath, Purple Heather, Twisted Heath
Ar: خلنج رمادي
Eu: Ainar purpura
Ca: Bruc vermell
Kw: Grug
Da: Grålng, Grå-Lyng
Nl: Rode dophei, Grauwe Dophei
Et: Hall eerika
Fo: Føroyskur klokkulyngur
Fi: Harmaakellokanerva
Fr: Bruyère Cendrée, Bréjotte, Bucane
Gl: Carrasco
De: Graue Glockenheide, Grau-Heide, Graue Heide, Aschgraue Heide, Grauheide
Is: Roðalyng
Ga: Fraoch cloigíneach
It: Erica cinerea, Scopa cinericcia
Ko: 에리카
No: Purpurlyng
Nb: Purpurlyng
Nn: Purpurlyng
Pt: Urze-da-charneca, Urze-roxa, Queiró, Urze roxa
Pt-br: Urze-da-charneca
Ru: Эрика сизая
Gd: Fraoch a’ bhadain, Fraoich a’ bhadain
Es: Argoña, Brezo Ceniciento, Argaña, Brezo gris, Brezo nazareno
Sv: Purpurljung, Purpuljung
Cy: Grug y mêl, Blodau y Grug, Clychau’r Grug, Grug, Grug Cochlas, Grug Lled Ledlwyd, Grug Lledlwyd, Grug Llwydlas

Synonyms

• Erica tenuifolia (Bubani)
• Erica cinerea var. rubens (Aiton)
• Erica mutabilis (Salisb.)
• Erica cinerea var. floribunda (Merino)
• Erica cinerea var. albiflora (Lange)
• Erica cinerea var. atropurpurea (G.Lodd.)
• Erica cinerea var. pallida (G.Lodd.)
• Erica cinerea var. fulgida (Regel)
• Erica cinerea f. pallida ((G.Lodd.) Rehder)
• Erica cinerea f. fulgida ((Regel) Rehder)
• Erica cinerea var. atrorubens (G.Sinclair)
• Ericoides cinereum ((L.) Kuntze)
• Erica cinerea f. atrorubens ((Sinclair) Rehder)
• Erica cinerea var. coccinea (Bean)
• Erica cinerea var. rubra (G.Sinclair)
• Erica cinerea f. pallidiflora (C.Vicioso)
• Eremocallis cinerea ((L.) Gray)
• Erica cinerea var. alba (Aiton)
• Erica cinerea f. alba ((Aiton) Zabel)
• Erica viridipurpurea (Gouan)
• Erica humilis (Neck.)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 22, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by TelChaR NoGRoD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2019 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 23, 2018 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 8, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 13, 2022 by Willem Defieuw (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by TelChaR NoGRoD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2019 by Clara Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 19, 2020 by Maël Erman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 14, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Collados Ana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 6, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Arnaud MUTUEL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by pascal maestri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2020 by González Veiga Manuel (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5333411)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:328424-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Erica cinerea L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Subshrub, Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 2