Erica (plant): Difference between revisions
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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Most of the species of ''Erica'' are small [[shrub]]s from {{convert|20|-|150|cm|0|abbr=on}} high, though some are taller; the tallest are ''[[Erica arborea|E. arborea]]'' (tree heath) and ''[[Erica scoparia|E. scoparia]]'' (besom heath), both of which can reach up to {{convert|7|m|0|abbr=on}} tall. All are [[evergreen]], with minute, needle-like [[leaf|leaves]] 2–15 mm long. Flowers are sometimes axillary, and sometimes borne in terminal [[umbels]] or spikes, and are usually outward or downward facing. The [[seed]]s are very small, and in some species may survive in the soil for decades. |
Most of the species of ''Erica'' are small [[shrub]]s from {{convert|20|-|150|cm|0|abbr=on}} high, though some are taller; the tallest are ''[[Erica arborea|E. arborea]]'' (tree heath) and ''[[Erica scoparia|E. scoparia]]'' (besom heath), both of which can reach up to {{convert|7|m|0|abbr=on}} tall. All are [[evergreen]], with minute, needle-like [[leaf|leaves]] 2–15 mm long. Flowers are sometimes axillary, and sometimes borne in terminal [[umbels]] or spikes, and are usually outward or downward facing. The [[seed]]s are very small, and in some species may survive in the soil for decades. |
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==Taxonomy and Phylogeny== |
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Dulfer <ref name="Dulfer1964">{{cite journal |title=Revision der Südafrikanischen Arten der Gattung ''Erica'' L. 1 Teil |journal=Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien |year=1964 |last=Dulfer |first=H |volume=67 |pages=79-147 |jstor=41769215 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41769215 |accessdate=2017-01-07 }}</ref> <ref name="Dulfer1965">{{cite journal |title=Revision der Südafrikanischen Arten der Gattung ''Erica'' L. 2 Teil |journal=Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien |year=1965 |last=Dulfer |first=H |volume=68 |pages=25-177 |jstor=41764839 |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/41764839 |accessdate=2017-01-07 }}</ref> published the last revision of the genus ''Erica'', treating 605 species. Many new species have subsequently been described (particularly in South Africa) and a further 83 have been included in ''Erica'' from former “minor genera”, such as ''Phillipia'' Klotzsch and ''Blaeria'' L. <ref name="Oliver2000">{{cite book|last=Oliver |first=E.G.H.|title=Systematics of Ericeae (Ericaceae-Ericoideae): species with indehiscent and partially dehiscent fruits|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oDslAQAAMAAJ|year=2000|publisher=Bolus Herbarium, University of Cape Town|isbn=978-0-7992-2202-9}}</ref>. A more recent overview of ''Erica'' species is provided in an electronic identification aid <ref name="OliverForshaw2012">{{cite journal |title=Genus Erica An Identification Aid Version 3.00 |journal=Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium |year=2012 |last=Oliver |first=E.G.H. |last2=Forshaw |first2=N. |volume=22 |url=http://www.proteaatlas.org.za/ericakey.htm |accessdate=2017-01-07 }}</ref>, but a modern taxonomic revision of the genus as a whole is still lacking. |
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A number of increasingly detailed phylogenetic hypotheses for ''Erica'' have been published based on nuclear [[ribosomal]] and [[plastid]] DNA sequences. <ref name="McGuireKron2005">{{cite journal|last1=McGuire|first1=Avery F.|last2=Kron|first2=Kathleen A.|title=Phylogenetic Relationships of European and African Ericas|journal=International Journal of Plant sciences|volume=166|issue=2|year=2005|pages=311–318|issn=1058-5893|doi=10.1086/427478}}</ref> <ref name="Mugrabi de KupplerFagúndez2015">{{cite journal|last1=Mugrabi de Kuppler|first1=A.L.|last2=Fagúndez|first2=J.|last3=Bellstedt|first3=D.U.|last4=Oliver|first4=E.G.H.|last5=Léon|first5=J.|last6=Pirie|first6=M.D.|title=Testing reticulate versus coalescent origins of ''Erica lusitanica'' using a species phylogeny of the northern heathers (Ericeae, Ericaceae)|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=88|year=2015|pages=121–131|issn=10557903|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2015.04.005}}</ref> <ref name="PirieOliver2011">{{cite journal|last1=Pirie|first1=Michael D.|last2=Oliver|first2=E.G.H.|last3=Bellstedt|first3=Dirk U.|title=A densely sampled ITS phylogeny of the Cape flagship genus ''Erica'' L. suggests numerous shifts in floral macro-morphology|journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution|volume=61|issue=2|year=2011|pages=593–601|issn=10557903|doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2011.06.007}}</ref> <ref name="PirieOliver2016">{{cite journal|last1=Pirie|first1=M. D.|last2=Oliver|first2=E. G. H.|last3=Mugrabi de Kuppler|first3=A.|last4=Gehrke|first4=B.|last5=Le Maitre|first5=N. C.|last6=Kandziora|first6=M.|last7=Bellstedt|first7=D. U.|title=The biodiversity hotspot as evolutionary hot-bed: spectacular radiation of ''Erica'' in the Cape Floristic Region|journal=BMC Evolutionary Biology|volume=16|issue=1|year=2016|issn=1471-2148|doi=10.1186/s12862-016-0764-3}}</ref> The closest relatives of ''Erica'' are ''[[Daboecia]]'' (one or two species) and ''[[Calluna]]'' (monospecific), representing the oldest surviving lineages of a, by inference, ancestrally Palearctic tribe Ericeae <ref name="Mugrabi de KupplerFagúndez2015" />. The small number of European ''Erica'' species represent the oldest lineages of the genus, within which a single, order-of-magnitude more species rich, African clade is nested <ref name="PirieOliver2011" />. Within the African clade, Cape and Madagascan/Mascarene species respectively represent [[monophyletic]] groups. <ref name="PirieOliver2016" /> |
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==Habitat== |
==Habitat== |
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Revision as of 15:58, 7 January 2017
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| Erica carnea in flower | |
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| Genus: | Erica |
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Over 800 species, including: | |
Erica is a genus of roughly 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae.[1] The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance. The genus Calluna was formerly included in Erica – it differs in having even smaller scale-leaves (less than 2–3 mm long), and the flower corolla consisting of separate petals. Erica is sometimes referred to as "winter (or spring) heather" to distinguish it from Calluna "summer (or autumn) heather".
Etymology
The Latin word erica means "heath" or "broom".[2] It is believed that Pliny adapted erica from Ancient Greek ἐρείκη.[3] The expected Anglo-Latin pronunciation, /ɪˈraɪkə/, may be given in dictionaries (OED: "Erica"), but /ˈɛrɪkə/ is more commonly heard.[4]
Description
Most of the species of Erica are small shrubs from 20–150 cm (8–59 in) high, though some are taller; the tallest are E. arborea (tree heath) and E. scoparia (besom heath), both of which can reach up to 7 m (23 ft) tall. All are evergreen, with minute, needle-like leaves 2–15 mm long. Flowers are sometimes axillary, and sometimes borne in terminal umbels or spikes, and are usually outward or downward facing. The seeds are very small, and in some species may survive in the soil for decades.
Taxonomy and Phylogeny
Dulfer [5] [6] published the last revision of the genus Erica, treating 605 species. Many new species have subsequently been described (particularly in South Africa) and a further 83 have been included in Erica from former “minor genera”, such as Phillipia Klotzsch and Blaeria L. [7]. A more recent overview of Erica species is provided in an electronic identification aid [8], but a modern taxonomic revision of the genus as a whole is still lacking.
A number of increasingly detailed phylogenetic hypotheses for Erica have been published based on nuclear ribosomal and plastid DNA sequences. [9] [10] [11] [12] The closest relatives of Erica are Daboecia (one or two species) and Calluna (monospecific), representing the oldest surviving lineages of a, by inference, ancestrally Palearctic tribe Ericeae [10]. The small number of European Erica species represent the oldest lineages of the genus, within which a single, order-of-magnitude more species rich, African clade is nested [11]. Within the African clade, Cape and Madagascan/Mascarene species respectively represent monophyletic groups. [12]
Habitat
Around 690 of the species are endemic to South Africa, and these are often called the Cape heaths, forming the largest genus in the fynbos.[13] The remaining species are native to other parts of Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean, and Europe.
Like most Ericaceae, Erica species are mainly calcifuges, being limited to acidic or very acidic soils. In fact, the term "ericaceous" is frequently applied to all calcifuges, and to the compost used in their cultivation.[14] Soils range from dry, sandy soils to extremely wet ones such as bog. They often dominate dwarf-shrub habitats (heathland and moorland), or the ground vegetation of open acidic woodland.
Cultivation
Erica species are grown as landscape or garden plants for their floral effect. They associate well with conifers and are frequently seen in planting schemes as massed groundcover beneath varieties of dwarf conifers. They are capable of producing flower colour throughout the year. They can also be grown in tubs or window boxes to provide interest through autumn and into winter.[15]
Ecology
Plants of this genus are eaten mainly by the larvae of many Lepidoptera species, including emperor moth, garden tiger moth, true lover's knot, wormwood pug, and the Coleophora case-bearers C. juncicolella and C. pyrrhulipennella.
Some species of sunbirds are known to visit and pollinate Erica. Two such species are the southern double-collared sunbird and the orange-breasted sunbird.
Notes
References
- ^ Manning, John; Paterson-Jones, Colin (2007). Field Guide to Fynbos. Struik Publishers, Cape Town. p. 224. ISBN 978-1-77007-265-7.
- ^ Scarborough, John (1992). Medical Terminologies : Classical Origins Oklahoma Series in Classical Culture. Vol. 13. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-806-13029-3.
- ^ Gledhill, David (2008). The Names of Plants. Cambridge University Press. p. 156. ISBN 978-0-521-86645-3.
- ^ Sunset Editors (1995). Sunset Western Garden Book. Leisure Arts. pp. 606–607. ISBN 978-0-37603-851-7.
{{cite book}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Dulfer, H (1964). "Revision der Südafrikanischen Arten der Gattung Erica L. 1 Teil". Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. 67: 79–147. JSTOR 41769215. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
- ^ Dulfer, H (1965). "Revision der Südafrikanischen Arten der Gattung Erica L. 2 Teil". Annalen des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien. 68: 25–177. JSTOR 41764839. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
- ^ Oliver, E.G.H. (2000). Systematics of Ericeae (Ericaceae-Ericoideae): species with indehiscent and partially dehiscent fruits. Bolus Herbarium, University of Cape Town. ISBN 978-0-7992-2202-9.
- ^ Oliver, E.G.H.; Forshaw, N. (2012). "Genus Erica An Identification Aid Version 3.00". Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium. 22. Retrieved 2017-01-07.
- ^ McGuire, Avery F.; Kron, Kathleen A. (2005). "Phylogenetic Relationships of European and African Ericas". International Journal of Plant sciences. 166 (2): 311–318. doi:10.1086/427478. ISSN 1058-5893.
- ^ a b Mugrabi de Kuppler, A.L.; Fagúndez, J.; Bellstedt, D.U.; Oliver, E.G.H.; Léon, J.; Pirie, M.D. (2015). "Testing reticulate versus coalescent origins of Erica lusitanica using a species phylogeny of the northern heathers (Ericeae, Ericaceae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 88: 121–131. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2015.04.005. ISSN 1055-7903.
- ^ a b Pirie, Michael D.; Oliver, E.G.H.; Bellstedt, Dirk U. (2011). "A densely sampled ITS phylogeny of the Cape flagship genus Erica L. suggests numerous shifts in floral macro-morphology". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 61 (2): 593–601. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.06.007. ISSN 1055-7903.
- ^ a b Pirie, M. D.; Oliver, E. G. H.; Mugrabi de Kuppler, A.; Gehrke, B.; Le Maitre, N. C.; Kandziora, M.; Bellstedt, D. U. (2016). "The biodiversity hotspot as evolutionary hot-bed: spectacular radiation of Erica in the Cape Floristic Region". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 16 (1). doi:10.1186/s12862-016-0764-3. ISSN 1471-2148.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Manning, John (2012). Plants of the Greater Cape Floristic Region: 1: the core Cape flora. Pretoria: South African National Biodiversity Institute, SANBI. ISBN 1-919976-74-4.
- ^ Shorter Oxford English dictionary, 6th ed. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. 2007. p. 3804. ISBN 0199206872.
- ^ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
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Heather fields in Ortegal (Galicia).
