or HEATH, in botany, a genus of the octandra monogynia clas. The calyx consists of four leaves, and the corolla of four segments; the filaments are inserted into the receptacle; the antherae are bifid; and the capsule has four cells. There are thirty-eight species, five of which are natives of Britain, viz. the vulgaris, or common heath; the cinerea, or fine-leaved heath; the tetralix, or cross-leaved heath; the ciliaris, or rough-leaved heath; and the multiflora, or fir-leaved heath.