Bell Heather
ExplorePlants
Bell Heather
Erica cinerea
Bell Heather is a lovely little plant with pink or purple flowers that bloom in late summer. It grows in sandy and heathland areas, making it a beautiful sight in nature!
Habitat: Heathlands
Appearance
The Bell Heather has numerous small, bell-shaped flowers, usually a vibrant purplish-pink, clustered along its stems. Its needle-like leaves are arranged in whorls, giving it a dense, heathery appearance distinct from larger, more open wildflowers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusErica
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Bell Heather is sometimes used by tiny caterpillars that disguise themselves as its flowers.
In some places, this plant helps turn entire hillsides into a sea of purple during summer!
Its scientific name, Erica, comes from an ancient Greek word for 'heather' or 'broom'.
Its tiny bell flowers are perfect hiding spots for small insects on a windy day!
Special abilities
Ability
Drought Buster
Bell Heather can thrive in dry, nutrient-poor soils because its tough leaves reduce water loss, helping it survive where others can't.
Ability
Evergreen Power
Bell Heather has tiny, needle-like leaves that stay green all year, allowing it to photosynthesize even in winter when other plants are dormant.
Ability
Acid Lover
Bell Heather can grow in very acidic peatlands and moorlands, thanks to special root associations that help it absorb nutrients efficiently.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-60 cm
- Spread
- 15-75 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.4-0.6 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to early autumn
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
visits flowers for nectar
eaten by
Spring Usher Moth
Agriopis leucophaearia
caterpillars feed on its leaves
symbiotic with
Common Heather
Calluna vulgaris
often grows nearby, creating a rich habitat
Traits
Bell-Shaped Flower
Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants you don't know, as some can be prickly or not safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Bell Heather?
10-60 cm
How wide does Bell Heather spread?
15-75 cm
How big are the flowers on Bell Heather?
0.4-0.6 cm
When does Bell Heather bloom?
Summer to early autumn
Is Bell Heather edible?
No
Is Bell Heather toxic?
None
What is Bell Heather's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Bell Heather pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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