It is a compact
evergreen shrub growing to , with somewhat brittle foliage and deep pink honey-scented flowers in winter and spring. The leaves are 4-whorled, measuring in length and turning dark green at maturity. Originally known as
Erica mediterranea, the species was renamed in 1969 by
R. Ross. The species name
erigena comes from
Erin of Ireland as "one applicable to something of Irish origin".
E. mediterranea is now more commonly used to refer to
E. carnea. ==Distribution and habitat==