Plant
Common Heather
Calluna vulgarisAlso known as Ling, Scotch Heather, Heather
Common heather forms vast carpeted heathlands across northern and western Europe, transforming open landscapes into vibrant purple seas during late summer. Its tiny scale-like leaves and abundant bell-shaped blossoms offer critical nectar for bees and cover for nesting moorland birds. Highly adapted to acidic, nutrient-poor soils, this resilient evergreen shrub relies on light grazing or periodic fires to regenerate and maintain open habitats.
EvergreenFloweringAcidophile
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
- Red grouse
- Mountain hare
- Domestic sheep
ThreatsHabitat conversion, overgrazing, severe fire suppression, nitrogen pollution
HabitatsHeathlands, bogs, moorlands, acidic woodlands
Life span30–50 years
Classification
- OrderEricales
- FamilyEricaceae
- GenusCalluna
- SpeciesCalluna vulgaris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Peak bloom: Visit dry heathlands from August to September to see vast purple displays.
- Path etiquette: Stay on designated trails through heathlands to protect delicate root systems.
Frequent Companion (c) Benjamin Zwittnig, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Paulo Martins, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Paulo Martins · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Carminda Santos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Carminda Santos · cc-by
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