Heath
Heath, common name for a plant family comprising flowering plants that are widely distributed in both temperate and tropical regions of the world, and for its representative genus. The family contains about 3350 species, which are placed in more than 100 genera and include a large number of ornamentals. Important horticultural members of the family are rhododendrons and azaleas (see Rhododendron ), heath, heather, madrona, mountain laurel, sweetbell, and sourwood. Various species produce such fruit as the blueberry , cranberry , and huckleberry . Briar pipes are made from burls of heath species native to the Mediterranean area. Most members of the heath family are woody, often evergreen shrubs. Many are poisonous; indeed, many common cultivated species contain the toxin andromedotoxin, which causes vomiting and reduced blood pressure and may result in death if taken in large quantities. Azaleas, rhododendrons, sweetbells, and laurels all contain this compound. The flowers are character...