Ericoid

The word "ericoid" is used in modern biological terminology for its literal meanings and for extensions. Etymologically the word is derived from two Greek roots via Latin adaptations. Firstly, the Ancient Greek name for plants now known in English as "heather" was "ἐρείκη", believed to be Latinised by Pliny as "Erica". Linnaeus, who predominantly wrote in Latin, used Erica as the name of the genus which still is known as such.