Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Erica carnea

Erica carnea

9.9
A small European shrub with early bell-shaped pink or red flowers often grown in gardens
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Erica carnea
  • Gardeners often choose Erica carnea for its ability to bloom in late winter.

Examples

  • The early blossoms of Erica carnea add vibrant color to rock gardens.

  • Although hardy and easy to care for, Erica carnea prefers well-drained, acidic soil.

  • The garden was filled with beautiful Erica carnea blooms.

  • Have you seen the Erica carnea in full bloom?

  • Erica carnea is often planted in gardens for its bright, early-blooming flowers that attract bees.

  • Many homeowners enjoy the beauty of Erica carnea in their landscapes due to its colorful, bell-shaped blossoms.

  • The low-growing Erica carnea thrives in rocky areas, providing a lovely display of red and pink flowers in early spring.

Synonyms

winter heath
vsErica carnea
8.4

A low shrub with bell-shaped red or pink flowers that blooms in early spring

blooms even earlier, before the early season starts
spring heath
vsErica carnea
  • UK
9.5

A low shrub that blooms early in spring with small bell-shaped red flowers

also occurs in pink as well as red

Surface Forms

Erica carnea singular
Erica carneas plural

Morphology

Erica + carnea

This is a Latin binomial (genus + specific epithet) used as a proper name for a particular species; knowing 'Erica' as a plant genus does not allow a B1 learner to infer the species' specific properties, and 'carnea' is not a common English word (not found in the dictionary). The expression functions as a fixed taxonomic name rather than a compositional phrase, so its full meaning cannot be derived from the constituents by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Erica carnea comes from old Latin words: Erica means 'heather' and carnea means 'flesh-coloured'. The name gives a clear picture of a low heather with pale pink, early flowers, which is why it fits this small garden shrub.