2011
TM4569 : Bell heather (Erica cinerea), Westleton Heath
taken 13 years ago, near to Westleton, Suffolk, England
Bell heather (Erica cinerea), Westleton Heath
Bell heather is an evergreen dwarf shrub, with leaves in whorls of three at each node. The bell shaped flowers are bright reddish-purple or white and it can be found growing in dry heaths alongside heather.
Westleton heath once formed part of a large area of heath known as the Sandlings that stretched along the Suffolk coast. Today only about 20% of the heathland remains. The local flora is typical of acid soil, with species such as harebell, tormentil, heath bedstraw and mossy tiliea on the grassheath. Of the heather species, common heather and ling predominate, and these, together with deep purple bell heather, provide an important nectar source for invertebrates such as the white admiral butterfly.
Image classification
(about):
Geograph
This page has been
viewed about
285 times