Common Name:
Irish Heath
Two species (D. cantabrica and D. azorica) of evergreen, low, heather-like shrubs. Leaves simple, alternate, small, 5-10 mm, elliptic, green above and silver below. Flowers in loose clusters, corolla 4-lobed, 8 enclosed stamens. Fruit an oblong, 4-valved, many seeded capsule. Native to coastal areas from Ireland to Portugal and in the Azores. Grow best in moist, acid soils; trim after flowering.
Daboecia: commemorating the Irish Saint Dabeoc (note spelling difference, blame Linnaeus).
Pronunciation:
da-bo-EE-shi-a
Family:
Ericaceae