ERCILLA SPICATA (_syn Bridgesia spicata_).--Chili, 1840. A
small-growing, half-climbing shrub, with leathery, deep green leaves,
and inconspicuous flowers. Hailing from Chili, it is not very hardy,
but given the protection of a wall, or planted against a tree-stump, it
soon forms a neat mass of evergreen foliage.


ERICA.

ERICA CARNEA.--South Europe, 1763. This is one of the most beautiful
and desirable of hardy Heaths, on account of the richly-coloured
flowers and early season at which they are produced. In the typical
species the flowers are pink or flesh-coloured, and produced in January
and February. It is a dwarf, compact growing species, with bright green
foliage. There is a form with pure white flowers, named E. carnea alba,
or E. herbacea, but although distinct and beautiful, it is not of so
robust growth as the parent.

E. CILIARIS.--A pretty native species, with ciliate glandular leaves,
and racemes of highly-coloured, rosy flowers. Found in Dorsetshire and
Cornwall.

E. CINEREA,--Gray-leaved Heath. In this species, also a native of
Britain, the flowers are of a reddish-purple colour, and borne in dense
terminal racemes. There are numerous varieties, including a
white-flowered E. cinerea alba; E. cinerea atro-purpurea, bearing dark
purple flowers; E. cinerea atro-sanguinea, dark red flowers; E. cinerea
coccinea, scarlet; E. cinerea purpurea, purple flowers; and E. cinerea
rosea, with deep rose-coloured flowers.