Geograph - photograph every grid square

Moorland vegetation

Taken on the slopes of Glas Bheinn, wildflowers of peat moorland. The purple flowers with the starshaped leaves are Butterwort, and this is an insect eating plant. Peaty soils are acidic and poor in available nitrogen and other minerals. Midges are rich in nutrients, and by dying on the moor in their untold millions(not quickly enough!) spread plant nutrients. Butterwort tips the odds in its favour by having sticky leaves, it collects insects which decay into the minerals and nitrogen needed to support plant life.