Phyllodoce (plant)
| Phyllodoce | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Phyllodoce caerulea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Ericaceae |
| Genus: | Phyllodoce Salisb. |
| Species | |
|
4 to 7 - See text | |
Phyllodoce /ˌfɪləˈdoʊsiː/ is a small genus of plants which includes the mountain-heaths or mountain heathers. These are low, matting shrubs with distinctive leaves which roll under themselves so tightly they resemble pine needles. They bear attractive flowers in shades of pink and purple. Phyllodoce are found in mountainous regions of North America, especially the western United States; blue heath (Phyllodoce caerulea) is native to north-western Europe.
The genus name refers to the flowers; Phyllodoce was a Greek sea nymph mentioned by Virgil.[1]
Selected species:
- Phyllodoce aleutica - Aleutian mountain-heath
- Phyllodoce breweri - purple mountain-heath
- Phyllodoce caerulea - blue heath or blue mountain-heath
- Phyllodoce empetriformis - pink mountain-heath
- Phyllodoce granduliflora - yellow mountain-heath
References
- ↑ Sierra Nevada Wildflowers, Karen Wiese, 2nd ed, 2013, p 67