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Erica cerinthoides
  • Fire Heath

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Erica genus in the family Ericaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral
    Very acid to Neutral
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 10
    Zone 10
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Erica cerinthoides has 0 edible uses listed
Erica cerinthoides has 0 material uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

The flowers are sucked for their abundant sweet nectar[1][2].

Unknown part

Nectar

Material uses

The plant is fire-resistant.

Unknown part

Fire retardant

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Erica cerinthoides.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in a sandy compost in a cold frame in spring. Keep moist. Prick out the plants as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant them in their permanent positions when they are 5 - 8cm tall[3].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 3cm long taken from twiggy lateral growths near the base of the plant, July/August in a frame. Remove the leaves from the bottom part of the stem without causing any damage to the bark. The cuttings root in a few weeks if they are given some bottom heat. Plant out in spring[3].

Layering in spring or autumn. Plants can be 'dropped' and then dug up and divided about 6 - 12 months later. Dropping involves digging up the plant and then replanting it about 15 - 20cm deeper in the soil to encourage roots to form along the stems[4].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Erica cerinthoides. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a light lime-free loam[5]. A calcifuge plant, requiring a pH below 6[6]. Grows best in a poor soil[3]. Prefers an open situation[5].

This species is unlikely to be hardy in Britain. One report suggests that it can be grown in the milder areas[5], but another says that it is not frost-tolerant[7]. In the wild the plant is often burnt down in fires, resprouting from the base[8]. Indeed, this regular burning keeps the plant healthy and, in cultivation, it is advisable to prune the plant back hard each year and to dress it with a light dressing of bonfire soil[8]. A good bee plant[9].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Erica cerinthoides. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Erica cerinthoides.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Erica cerinthoides
Genus
Erica
Family
Ericaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2]
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
10
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.5 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.





    "image:Erica cerinthoides flower.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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