Erica cinerea

Taxobox
name = "Erica cinerea"


image_width = 250px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ericales
familia = Ericaceae
genus = "Erica"
species = "E. cinerea"
binomial = "Erica cinerea"
binomial_authority = L.

"Erica cinerea" (Bell Heather, or heather-bell) is a species of heather, native to western and central Europe. It is a low shrub growing to 15-60 cm tall, with fine needle-like leaves 4-8 mm long arranged in whorls of three. The flowers are bell-shaped, purple (rarely white), 4-7 mm long, produced in mid to late summer.

Bell heather is also used as an ornamental plant, coming in a wider range of colors. The flowers are dry, similar in texture to the strawflower. As an ornamental plant, it a drought tolerant and grows well in full sun with well drained soil.