Tree heath (Erica arborea, Sp. Pl.: 353 (1753))

Family: Ericaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 353 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Erica

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit to W. Transcaucasus, Trop. African Mts., Arabian Pen.

Description

Tree heath (Erica arborea) is a remarkable evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to a diverse range of regions, stretching from the Mediterranean to Western Transcaucasus, tropical African mountains, and the Arabian Peninsula. Widely celebrated for its resilience and adaptability, this plant belongs to the Ericaceae family, renowned for its unique attributes that contribute significantly to the biodiversity of the landscapes it inhabits.

Characteristically, tree heath can grow to an impressive height, often reaching between 3 to 6 meters but occasionally surpassing even these dimensions in optimal conditions. One of the most striking features of Erica arborea is its foliage – the slender, needle-like leaves that form dense clusters, providing the plant with a lush, green appearance throughout the year. The fine-leaved nature of the plant also plays an essential role in adapting to its native, often harsh, environments, where water conservation is crucial.

Spring and early summer are when tree heath truly comes into its own, as it produces a profusion of small, white to pale pink, bell-shaped flowers. These blossoms are not only visually appealing but also highly fragrant, attracting numerous pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which in turn support the surrounding ecosystems. The flowering period is a sight to behold and contributes to the plant’s popularity in ornamental gardening and landscape design.

The wood of Erica arborea is another notable aspect, especially prized for making briar pipes. The root burl, known as briarwood, is harvested primarily in southern Europe and northern Africa for this purpose. The wood’s hard, heat-resistant properties make it an excellent material for crafting durable, high-quality pipes, securing its economic significance beyond horticulture.

In addition to its uses in pipe manufacturing, tree heath plays a vital ecological role. Its ability to thrive in poor, acidic soils makes it an excellent pioneer species for reforestation and soil stabilization projects. By preventing soil erosion and providing cover, it helps restore and maintain healthy environments in degraded landscapes.

Beyond its functional and ecological merits, tree heath also holds cultural significance in several of its native regions. In various Mediterranean cultures, the plant is intertwined with local traditions and folklore, symbolizing resilience and endurance.

In conclusion, Erica arborea, or tree heath, is much more than a simple plant. It stands out as a versatile and ecologically significant species with a rich history in both natural habitats and human culture. Whether admired for its aesthetic appeal, utilized for its durable wood, or valued for its role in environmental conservation, tree heath is a true testament to the intricate interplay between nature and human ingenuity.

Common Names

Deu: baumheide
Spa: brezo
Eng: tree heath, briar root, brierroot
Swe: trädljung
Cym: grugwydden grugwydd
En: Tree heath, Brierroot, Briar root, Briar-root
Af: Boomheide
Ar: خلنج شجري
Eu: Txilar zuri
Bg: Пирен
Ca: Bruc boal
Zh: 白歐石楠
Co: Scopa
Cs: Vřesovec stromovitý
Da: Træ-Lyng
Nl: Boomheide
Eo: Vepreja eriko
Et: Puis-eerika
Fi: Puukellokanerva
Fr: Bruyère arborescente, Bruyère blanche, Bruyère en arbre, Bruyère des Maures, Bruyère du Portugal
Gl: Uz branca
De: Baumheide, Baumartige Heide
El: Ανοιξιάτικο Ρείκι, Δενδρώδες ρείκι, Ερείκη η δενδρώδης
Hu: Cserjés hanga
It: Erica arborea, Radica, Scopa, Scopone, Stipa, Ulice, Scopa arborea
Mk: Дрвнеест врес
No: Trelyng
Oc: Bruga blanca
Fa: خلنگ درختی
Pl: Wrzosiec drzewiasty
Pt: Urze-molar
Pt-br: Urze-arbustivo, Urze-molar
Ru: Эрика древовидная
Sk: Vresovec stromovitý
Es: Brezo, Urce, Brezo blanco, Bruch, Dinada
Sv: Trädljung
Tr: Ağaç fundası
Uk: Еріка деревовидна
Cy: Grugwydden grugwydd, Grugwydden Grugwydd

Synonyms

• Erica arborea var. rupestris (Chabert)
• Erica arborea f. saccata (Chodat)
• Erica arborea var. perdurantifolia (Sennen)
• Erica lazaroana (Rivas Goday & Bellot)
• Erica arborea var. grandiflora (Texidor)
• Erica arborea f. erythrostigma (Chodat)
• Erica alpina ((Bean) Osborn)
• Erica arborea f. albida (Chodat)
• Erica arborea var. alpina (Bean)
• Arsace arborea ((L.) Fourr.)
• Erica acrophya (Fresen.)
• Erica riojana (Sennen & Elías)
• Erica arborea f. chlorantha (Chodat)
• Erica arborea subsp. parviflora (Spirlet)
• Erica arborea subsp. riojana ((Sennen & Elías) Romo)
• Erica scoparia (Thunb.)
• Erica elata (Hoffmanns. & Link)
• Ericoides arboreum ((L.) Kuntze)
• Erica arborea var. asturea (Regel)
• Erica procera (Salisb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Chad (native)
• Corse (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken Dec 5, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2018 by Juan I Deán (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by Rico García Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2018 by Ricardo Aperador Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2019 by pflanzenkunde24 (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 1, 2020 by thaddee sant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2020 by boualem felfoul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Giovanni Vannacci (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2019 by Mathieu Boyaval (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Josep Maria Ferran (cc-by-sa)

Habit

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

Taken Mar 12, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 11, 2020 by christiane Deslaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Giovanni Vannacci (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 6, 2021 by Madero Auxiliadora Madero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2021 by tassinari matteo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2019 by Kenan GÜREL (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 6, 2021 by Mathieu Guillaumé (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 4, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2019 by vivian13 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 9, 2021 by Rico García Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 25, 2021 by kappa21 (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 2, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Claire RIGOULAT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2022 by Acosta García Isabel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2022 by irene frino (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5333410)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:328204-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Erica arborea L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘mar’, ‘apr’, ‘may’]

Soil nutriments: 4