Heather
ExplorePlants
Heather
Calluna vulgaris
Heather is a lovely purple flower that grows in clumps. It adds color to hillsides and heathlands.
Habitat: Hillsides and heathlands
Appearance
The Heather is a low-growing evergreen shrub with tiny, scale-like leaves densely packed along its woody stems. It boasts a profusion of small, bell-shaped flowers, typically vibrant purple, pink, or white, creating a carpet of colour. Its delicate yet abundant blooms distinguish it from other ground covers.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyEricaceaeGenusCalluna
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient people used heather to make dye, brooms, and even mattresses!
Heather honey is unique! It's jelly-like and packed with tiny air bubbles.
In Scotland, walking through heather is said to bring good luck!
Some heather can live for over 40 years, growing into twisted, ancient shrubs!
Special abilities
Ability
Tough Soil Survivor
Heather has tough, leathery leaves that help it survive in nutrient-poor, acidic soils where other plants struggle.
Ability
Fire Recovery
Heather has hardy seeds or can re-sprout from its base after wildfires, helping it quickly recover burned areas.
Ability
Drought Buster
Heather has tiny, scale-like leaves that reduce water loss, helping it survive in dry, windy, and exposed habitats.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-50 cm
- Spread
- 30-80 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.2-0.5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late Summer to Autumn
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eaten by
Roe Deer
Capreolus capreolus
browses on young shoots
pollinates
European Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar for heather honey
shelters
Dunnock
Prunella modularis
uses dense growth for nesting
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.
Everblooming
Everblooming plants produce flowers continuously or in repeated flushes over a long period.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Calluna
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Heather?
20-50 cm
How wide does Heather spread?
30-80 cm
How big are the flowers on Heather?
0.2-0.5 cm
When does Heather bloom?
Late Summer to Autumn
Is Heather edible?
Yes
Is Heather toxic?
None
What is Heather's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Heather pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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