Species name :

Erica multifloraL.
Published in L., Sp. Pl. 355 (1753)

Synonyms :
(basionym or principal syn.)

No Main Synonyms

Plant Family :

Ericaceae Juss. (The Heath Family)
2 species from the Ericaceae family are recorded from the Maltese Islands.

English name(s) :

Mediterranean Heath, Mediterranean Heather

Maltese name(s) :

Erika, Leħjet ix-xiħ, Savina

Status for Malta :

Indigenous. Present on the Maltese islands before man

Frequency :

Very Common     Common    Frequent    Scarce     Rare    Very rare    Extinct

Growth form :

Raunkiaer lifeform [info]: Nano-Phanerophyte ( small trees to large shrubs, usually <5 m )
Germination [info]: Dicotyledon

Legal Protection :

Protected by law: Schedule III and VIII of [S.L. 549.44] (Conservation requires the designation of SAC)

Red List (1989) :

Not listed in the Red Data Book of the Maltese Islands

Flowering Time :

December – March

Colour of Flowers:

Pink

Name Derivation :

Erica: Plants named for being found in a special habitat known as a heath or shrubby wasteland. Origin very old and used by Pliny. (Latin origin )

multiflora: Producing many flowers (compared to other species in the genus). ( )