Plate 54.Erica carnea.Drawn from Nature by M.R.Engraved by R. Havell Junr.
Plate 54.Erica carnea.Drawn from Nature by M.R.Engraved by R. Havell Junr.
Plate 54.Erica carnea.Drawn from Nature by M.R.Engraved by R. Havell Junr.
Flesh colored, early Flowering Heath.
Class and Order.—Octandria Monogynia.
Root fibrous—stem branching upon the ground, leaves small, linear, sessile—flowers pendulous, on very short peduncles—calyx four segments, linear acute—corolla campanulate, pale pink, margin four cleft—stamens eight fixed to the receptacle, anthers bifid, projecting, dark purple—style declining, longer than the stamens.
Root fibrous—stem branching upon the ground, leaves small, linear, sessile—flowers pendulous, on very short peduncles—calyx four segments, linear acute—corolla campanulate, pale pink, margin four cleft—stamens eight fixed to the receptacle, anthers bifid, projecting, dark purple—style declining, longer than the stamens.
This pretty little plant would be acceptable to us at any season of the year, but is peculiarly so in the dreary one in which its beautiful pink blossoms appear, frequently peeping above the snow. The flowers are formed in the autumn, but do not come to maturity until the following December or January, when (if planted in a bog border with a south aspect) it will make a beautiful appearance for a length of time. It is a native of the Alps and mountainous parts of Germany, and was introduced into this country about the year 1763; the general method of increasing this plant is by cuttings or layers,—there are other species of hardy heaths which are well worth cultivating. The three last mentioned are natives of Britain.
Pl. 54.
Pl. 54.