common heather
ExplorePlants
common heather
Calluna vulgaris
Common heather is a lovely purple flower that grows in many places. It blooms in late summer and is often found in fields and on hillsides, making the landscape colorful and bright.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The common heather is a low-growing evergreen shrub with tiny, scale-like leaves packed tightly on woody stems. Its small, bell-shaped flowers, often purple or pink but sometimes white, grow in dense clusters, creating vibrant carpets across landscapes.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusCalluna
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people used heather to make cozy mattresses, roofing, and even brooms for their homes!
In Scotland, picking a white heather sprig is believed to bring good luck and protection!
Its tiny seeds can stay active in the soil for over 100 years, waiting for perfect conditions!
Special heather honey is super thick and has a unique, strong flavour that people love around the world.
Special abilities
Ability
Tough Roots
Common heather can thrive in poor, acidic soil where many other plants struggle, helping it colonize harsh landscapes.
Ability
Evergreen Armor
Common heather has small, tough, overlapping leaves that help it conserve water and survive cold, windy winters.
Ability
Pollinator Party
Common heather has abundant, long-lasting flowers that provide vital nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-75 cm
- Spread
- 30-80 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late Summer to Autumn
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Gathers nectar and pollen from its abundant flowers.
pollinates
Buff-tailed bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
A frequent visitor, helping transfer pollen between plants.
eaten by
Red deer
Cervus elaphus
Grazes on young shoots and foliage, especially in winter.
eats
Heather beetle
Lochmaea suturalis
Larvae and adult beetles feed on the leaves of heather plants.
Traits
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.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
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
While common heather is safe to touch, always explore nature with an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is common heather?
20-75 cm
How wide does common heather spread?
30-80 cm
How big are the flowers on common heather?
0.2-0.4 cm
When does common heather bloom?
Late Summer to Autumn
Is common heather edible?
Yes
Is common heather toxic?
None
What is common heather's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is common heather pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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