Erinacea is a genus of flowering plants in the pea and legume family, Fabaceae (order Fabales). It is monotypic, containing a single species, Erinacea anthyllis — known by the common names blue broom, hedgehog plant, and rushy kidney vetch.
The plant is a dwarf, densely branched, spiny evergreen shrub that grows into a compact dome shape roughly 30 cm (12 in) tall and wide. Its dense, cushion-like foliage is studded with lilac-coloured, pea-like flowers typical of the legume family, produced in late spring and early summer. The specific epithet anthyllis points to the plant's resemblance to the related kidney vetch, Anthyllis vulneraria.
Erinacea anthyllis is native to stony, mountainous terrain in the western Mediterranean, occurring in the Pyrenees of France and Spain as well as in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Its spiny, low-growing, cushion habit is characteristic of plants adapted to exposed montane and rocky habitats, where it typically grows on limestone.
Outside its native range, it is grown as an ornamental for rock gardens, valued for its neat dome form and long lifespan once established. It performs best in full sun and sharply-drained, alkaline soil that mimics the limestone substrates of its native mountains.
Etymology
The specific epithet anthyllis references the plant's resemblance to the related kidney vetch, Anthyllis vulneraria.
Distribution
Native to stony, mountainous habitats of the western Mediterranean — the Pyrenees of France and Spain — and to Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Cultivation
Grown as an ornamental rock-garden plant. Best in full sun and sharply-drained, alkaline soil that mirrors the limestone of its native habitat; once established it is extremely long-lived.
Taxonomy Notes
Erinacea is a monotypic genus in family Fabaceae, order Fabales, with a single accepted species, Erinacea anthyllis.
