Erica canaliculata, the channelled heath or hairy grey heather, is a South African species of flowering plant in the family Ericaceae.
Erica canaliculata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Ericaceae |
Genus: | Erica |
Species: | E. canaliculata
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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+1⁄2 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]