ERI CA STRICTA. 
STRAIGHT-BRANCHED HEATH. 
Class. Order. 
OCTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
ERICEiE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Cultivated 
S. Europe. 
3 feet. 
Aug. Sept. 
Perennial. 
in 1765. 
No. 217. 
The term ereice, with some variations, is said 
to be still in use amongst the modern Greeks, but its 
origin is somewhat doubtful. It is generally be- 
lieved to have come from ereico, to break; as 
some authors imagine, from its medicinal power in 
breaking or dissolving the stone ; whilst others con- 
ceive it to have been applied from the fragility of 
the branches. Stricta, from the Latin, in allusion 
to its rigid, stiff, or straight branches. 
In many situations the heaths are observed to be 
difficult of culture ; even our native species, which 
bear the keenest frosts, on exposed mountains, fre- 
quently, in low and confined gardens, are not pre- 
served more than two or three years. 
Like an exile from his native land, who sighs for 
the friends he has lost, many of our wild and beau- 
tiful flowers droop their heads in culture; and though 
watered and sheltered with parental attention, their 
former health turns to decline ; and in the midst of 
unheeding exotics, they ultimately die. 
The Erica stricta bears common garden culture 
better than most other species ; and is generally pro- 
pagated by cuttings, under a hand-glass. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 2, 393. 
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