Erica multiflora is a species of bushy plant with attractive campanulate flowers that belongs to the Ericaceae family. Known as heather, winter heather, bruguera, cepeyo, pedorrera or petorra is a plant native to the central and western Mediterranean basin.
It is a highly branched shrub with erect growth and dark brown woody bark that can reach up to 2.5 m in height. It has small linear, succulent and bright green leaves, as well as abundant campanulate flowers of pinkish tones. Flowering occurs from summer to winter.
It develops on soils of calcareous and well-drained origin, in regions with a Mediterranean climate and in full sun exposure. It is a difficult plant to propagate, but once established it is very resistant, tolerating maritime influence very well..
It has a very ornamental appearance, especially during the flowering season due to its abundant and attractive pink inflorescences. In gardening they are usually used to form hedges, as a solitary specimen or in association with similar shrub species such as the genera Arbutus, Cistus, Genista Y Broom.
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It is a highly branched evergreen shrub with a strongly woody stem that is between 2 and 2.5 m high. The erect growing branches are slightly pubescent when young, but smooth and lignified when adult, forming a dense and irregular crown.
Linear or acicular leaves arranged in 4-5 alternate whorls of 5-15 mm in length and glossy dark green color. The linear needles or leaflets are slightly fleshy with rolled margins and the underside almost hidden..
The corolla flowers, closely campanulate of white, purple or bright pink color are grouped in large inflorescences forming terminal racemes. It is characterized by presenting 4-5 long, thin and reddish glabrous peduncles, with 3 leaflets, 4 sepals and 8 stamens that protrude the corolla.
The fruit is a dry and smooth capsule that is divided into 4 valves and lacks hairs. The fruiting season occurs during the months of February and March.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Ericales
- Family: Ericaceae
- Subfamily: Ericoideae
- Tribe: Ericeae
- Gender: Erica
- Species: Erica multiflora L.
- Erica multiflora subsp. hyblaea Domina & Raimondo
- Erica multiflora subsp. multiflora.
- Erica: the name of the genus derives from the ancient Greek "ereíkē" (eríkē) which means "to break", since the dry branches break easily and their leaves fall easily.
- multiflora: the specific adjective in Latin refers to "multiple flowers".
- Erica dianthera Moench
- Erica peduncularis C. Presl
- E. purpurascens The m.
- E. umbellifera Loisel.
- Erica vagans Desf.
- Ericoides multiflorum (L.) Kuntze
- Gypsocallis multiflora D. Don.
The species Erica multiflora It is common in evergreen scrub, in dry environments on rocky hills and soils of calcareous or sedimentary origin. It is a calcareous plant that tolerates certain levels of salinity and not very fertile soils with a low content of organic matter, although well drained..
It prefers warm and cool climates with occasional frosts, which is why it is located in coastal Mediterranean regions up to 1,200 meters above sea level. It grows on semi-arid slopes in association with albaidales, espartales or romerales, also forming part of the understory in holm oaks and pine forests.
As an ornamental plant it tolerates drought well and does not require frequent watering, it needs full sun exposure or half shade and it supports pruning well. Despite being a difficult species to reproduce, once established it is very resistant, as long as it grows on well-drained soil..
It is geographically distributed throughout the western and central Mediterranean to Serbia, the Balearic Islands and the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula including Aragon, Catalonia and Valencia. In North Africa it is located from the north of Morocco and Tunisia, to the Akhdar Massif in northeast Libya.
The species Erica multiflora It is an ornamental shrub that can be grown both in parks and gardens as well as in pots. It grows on calcareous soils, tolerates salinity and low fertility conditions, and also supports drought, so it easily adapts to various environments.
The presence of different essential oils, mainly in flowers, provides antiseptic, diuretic and sedative properties for the urinary tract. It is indicated in case of kidney stones, cystitis, leukorrhea and pyelonephritis, as it has purifying effects. It also stimulates urine production and disinfects the kidneys..
Applied topically, it has an antirheumatic effect, relieves rheumatic neuralgia, gout symptoms, skin spots or eczema. The decoction of leaves and flowers are used as baths to relieve pain caused by gout and rheumatism.
Macerated and poultice of fresh leaves and flowers are applied to the joints to soothe rheumatic discomforts. The oil extracted from the flowers is used for massages against burns, dermatosis or redness of the skin.
The dense and firm wood is used to make kitchen furniture or handicrafts. In addition, it has a good ignition point, which is why it is used as fuel for baking ovens..
Like other Mediterranean shrub species, this plant is very resistant to attack by pests and diseases. However, under conditions of high humidity the proliferation of fungi or the appearance of pests can occur..
Under arid conditions the appearance of mealybugs or mites that suck the sap of the stem or young shoots can occur. Mealybugs can be cottony or limpet type, while mites are 4-5 mm long and produce cobwebs. They can be eliminated by physical methods or by applying anti-mealybug insecticides or miticides.
High humidity conditions are ideal for the spread of foliage fungi such as powdery mildew and rust. These diseases affect the photosynthetic organs, causing wilting of the leaves, general weakness, defoliation and subsequent death of the plant..
Excessive soil humidity results in the appearance of soil fungi such as Verticillium sp. causative agent of verticillosis. This disease causes rotting of the roots, the stem tends to necrotize and the leaves wither, finally dying..
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