Moorland Species: Peak District National Park Conservation Status: No conservation designation Where to see: Moorlands rich in bilberry in the South West Peak When to see: May to September A medium-sized species which emerges in early spring, the bilberry bumblebee has bright yellow bands on the thorax and red hairs on the abdomen. This species is associated with upland areas above 300m altitude, feeding on bilberry, trefoils, clover and heather. They nest on or below the ground, often using old animal burrows. The bilberry bumblebee, like many of our bee species is in decline. BOG ASPHODEL Scientific Name: Narthecium ossifragumDistribution: LocalisedConservation Status: No conservation designationWhere to see: Can be seen in road verges on the Warslow Estate in the South West PeakWhen to see: Flowers June to August A member of the lily family, the sulphur-yellow flower spikes of bog asphodel can be seen in peat bogs, wet heaths and flushes in early summer. The flowers appear from June to August, followed by orange egg-shaped fruits in the autumn.

A range of pollinating insects are attracted by the bright showy flowers. COMMON LIZARD Conservation Status: Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act Where to see: Many locations, particular concentration on the Eastern Moors When to see: Warm days in spring and summer As the name implies common lizards are widely distributed in the UK. They can be found almost anywhere from gardens, heathland, wooded glades, disused railway tracks, open meadows to the banks of ditches and along hedgerows. In spring the males and females bask in the open to absorb the heat from the sun. They will often use a stone, log or grass tussock close to cover for basking. Not to be confused with newts which hide in thick grass or under logs and do not bask in the sun.

COTTONGRASSES Scientific Name: Eriophorum angustifolium (common cottongrass); Eriophorum vaginatum (hare’s-tail cottongrass) Distribution: Widespread in suitable habitats Conservation Status: No conservation designation Where to see: Good displays in boggy areas on Bleaklow and Kinder When to see: Flowers April to June Appearing like tufts of cotton wool swaying in the breeze, there are two species of cottongrass in the Peak District: common cottongrass and hare’s-tail cottongrass. Both species can be found growing in blanket bog and wet heath areas. Hare’s-tail cottongrass forms tussocks and its flowers consist of a single spikelet, whereas common cottongrass flowers form in groups of 3 to 7 spikelets. Not actually a grass at all this is a member of the sedge family.

GREEN HAIRSTREAK Conservation Status: No conservation designation Where to see: Heyden Clough, Lantern Pike other moorlands When to see: May to June This butterfly is one of the earliest species to emerge in the Peak District and the only one that is more common in moorland areas than elsewhere. It is widely distributed across the Dark Peak where it favours sheltered cloughs and slopes that contain a good growth of its main larval food plant, bilberry. It can also be found along moorland roads and lanes with a narrow fringe of dense bilberry and where south-facing drystone walls provide a warm microclimate. Where bilberry is absent, green hairstreaks may be found on gorse, sometimes on isolated patches of bushes in areas of heavily grazed grass. It has been recorded up to 500m, though it is usually seen at lower altitudes. Green hairstreaks also occur in the limestone dales of the White Peak, but in much smaller numbers. Alternative food plants there include common rock rose and bird’s foot trefoil.

GOLDEN PLOVER Conservation Status: Species of European conservation concern Where to see: Upland moors and bogs, Upper Derwent Valley When to see: Summer months The golden plover breeds on upland heathland and blanket bog, where they are associated with areas of short vegetation. A major food source comes from craneflies or ‘daddy long-legs’ which also inhabit the wetter areas of the moorlands. Populations of cranefly are at risk from the drying effects of climate change, which is also predicted to impact on populations of golden plover. Ditch blocking to re-wet blanket bog will help provide the right conditions for craneflies and in turn provide a food source for golden plover. The South Pennines Special Protection Area (SPA) is of European importance for breeding golden plover.

HEATHER Distribution: Widespread on the moorlands Conservation Status: No conservation designation Where to see: Good displays on many of the Dark and South West Peak moorlands including Stanage Edge, Eyam Moor etc When to see: Flowers during August Perhaps the plant most associated with the Dark Peak area of the Peak District, the purple-pink honey-scented flowers of common heather are a welcome if short-lived sight on the moors. Attracting a variety of pollinating insects, heather provides a late-summer nectar source for bees such as the bilberry bumblebee. Heather has four stages of growth: pioneer, building, mature and degenerate, when it lays down and ‘layers’ sending up new growth from old woody stems. MOUNTAIN HARE Distribution: Restricted to uplands in Dark Peak Conservation Status: Listed in the EC Habitats Directive, UK BAP species Where to see: Around Pike Low in the Upper Derwent Valley When to see: Early spring after snow melt Mountain hares are native to the highlands of Scotland, but were introduced to the Peak District in the 19th century.

The mountain hare prefers areas of mixed heather and cottongrass moorland, and tends to avoid grassland. They favour areas below the gritstone edges, especially if they have extensive boulder slopes below them, with cavities in the boulders enabling safe retreat. The species has been lost from some of the smaller, more isolated areas of moorland such as those in the South West Peak and at Eyam Moor in the Dark Peak, but seems to be relatively stable in its stronghold between Derwent Edge and Outer Edge in the Dark Peak. The mountain hare’s brown coat turns white in the winter, a characteristic which may have evolved as a defence from predators. RED GROUSE Distribution: Widespread in the uplands Conservation Status: UK BAP species, Amber Listed species Where to see: Any heather moorland in the Peak District When to see: All year round Resident in the Peak District all year round, the red grouse is a familiar sight (and sound) of the heather moors and blanket bogs. They feed on heather, seeds, berries and insects and nest amongst the heather.

The UK population is in decline, hence this species was added to the UK BAP priority list in 2007. RING OUZEL Conservation Status: UK BAP priority species, Red List species Where to see: Stanage Edge When to see: April to September Also known as ‘mountain blackbird’ the ring ouzel is a migratory species which arrives in the spring to breed. This is a rock-living species which has formed a local but fragile stronghold at Stanage Edge thanks to dedicated field staff and cooperation from visitors. Ring ouzel feed on insects found amongst stands of bracken, and also eat worms and bilberries; later in the year rowan berries are a good food source. Restricted largely to the upland areas in the north and west of the UK, the Peak District is the most south-easterly area where ring ouzels still breed. SHORT-EARED OWL Scientific Name: Asio flammeusDistribution: Restricted to the upland moorlands Conservation Status: European conservation concern, Amber List species Where to see: Shining Tor near Buxton, Kinder Scout When to see: All year round A medium-sized owl which can sometimes be seen hunting small mammals such as voles during the day.

In the Peak District, their preferred habitat in the open moorland, bogs and rough grassland, where vegetation provides sufficient cover to conceal their nests. The Peak District Moors Special Protection Area (SPA) is a European designation for its populations of merlin, golden plover and short-eared owl. SPHAGNUM MOSSES Distribution: Widespread, but localised in the Dark Peak and South West Peak Conservation Status: No conservation designation Where to see: Blanket bogs When to see: All year round These mosses are a key peat-forming part of blanket bogs, they act like a sponge and can absorb more than eight times their own weight in water. Peat bogs are a vital habitat for many species but also important in the battle with climate change as a healthy peat bog stores carbon and water. Several species of sphagnum can be found in the Peak District, but in the past large areas have been lost due to acid rain from surrounding industry, and drying out and erosion of peat bogs. The Moors for the Future partnership is currently working on a sphagnum propagation project to ‘re-seed’ degraded peat with new sphagnum plants.

TWITE Distribution: Restricted, very localised Conservation Status: UK BAP priority species Where to see: Very hard to spot, sometimes found in groups in some disused White Peak quarries When to see: Summer months This little brown bird resembles a redpoll but with a longer tail. Twite are dependent on moorland for nesting and moorland fringe habitats for feeding. In England this species is restricted to the uplands of the Southern Pennines, with a dwindling population remaining in the Peak District. One of only two British birds that have a diet comprising entirely of seeds, this may be the cause of its decline, as seed-rich grassland habitats have declined, reducing the late summer supply of seeds needed by twite. Share this page Wildflower Heather, Bell Irish Wild Flora Wildflowers of Ireland Heath, Cross-leaved , This short, hairless, evergreen under shrub is also known as Ling. It is a much loved sight on hills, moorland and dry acid soil s. Blooming from June to September, the bell-shaped, pink/purple flowers are 5-6mm long and occasionally white. The 'bell' in fact is four petals fused together.

ï¿½Bell Heather's leaves are narrow, dark-green ï¿½ sometimes bronzy - and in whorl s of 3 up the stems. This is a native plant and belongs to the family Ericaceae. I first identified this in Glendalough Co Wicklow in 1976 and photographed it in Ballybraid, Co Wicklow in 1996 and 2007. If you are satisfied you have correctly identified this plant, please submit your sighting to the National Biodiversity Data Centre Although heather can be found growing in the wild in many variations of purple/red, it is considered to be lucky to find heather with white flowers. All heathers have been much used over the centuries, from bedding material, brooms, fuel, baskets, thatching, to food for sheep.ï¿½ Also used as flavouring for beer, it is well known to give flavour and colour to honeyï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ The Encyclopedia of Arda - Ling Updates planned: 2 Ling Another name for the shrub more usually known as heather , associated with moorland and open heaths.

It was indeed on the heaths of northern Ithilien that ling was found by Frodo and Sam was they journeyed towards Cirith Ungol . Ling was also found widely throughout Middle-earth , though it is generally given its more common name of ' heather '; it was known as far north and west as the Bree and the borders of the Shire , and was also known to grow on the hillsides near Rivendell . For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page. Native Scottish Plants to incorporate into your garden designHistoric Scottish Gardens Scottish Plants Flowers and plants native to, or particularly associated with, the history of Scotland. As with most countries, Scotland abounds with native plant and herb lore. For the modern gardener, looking with a fresh eye, many of the native species provide a rich source of inspiration for natural and historic planting schemes as well as modern design, or simply to blend with more conventional garden plants and preserve overlooked species. This is a ‘Cook’s Tour’ digest of the most notable in either appearance or properties, but for those who really want to dig in to the subject, there’s a short book list at the foot of the page.

We also have a separate list of modern and non-native plant suggestions for historical garden themes under Gardening Today. Scotch Thistle, Onopordum acanthium (left) and Melancholy Thistle, Cirsium heterophyllum (right) The Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium). Well, we had to start with this one! This tall and handsome thistle can grow up to five feet in height, and although regarded as a weed in the past, is now gaining favour with modern gardeners for its architectural value. Its natural habitat is poorer soils, waste ground and roadsides, but despite its name, is actually quite rare in Scotland! Far more appropriate is the Melancholy Thistle (Cirsium heterophyllum), which although also quite rare, is specific to damp places in mountain areas. Similar in appearance to the common Meadow Thistle found in England, this however has large leaves which are felted and white underneath. The flower heads have elegantly overlapping purple-edged sepals, with reddish-purple florets – a far better match in appearance to the ‘Scottish Thistle’ than the namesake!

Male Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) catkins (left), and unripe female flowers (right) Bog Myrtle (Myrica gale) A small, unassuming shrub, growing to no more than four feet, this is common throughout Britain in fens and boggy areas. It has a pleasant, slightly honeyed aromatic scent, and its significance to Scotland is that it is a wonderful repellent to the dreaded midge, growing as it does in areas favoured by midges as breeding grounds. Its properties have been known for centuries, but it is only recently that companies have started to use bog myrtle extract in commercial midge repellents. Hillside gorse (Ulex europaeus), and the flower in close up (right) Gorse (Ulex europaeus) Common Gorse, known as Whin or Furze in Scotland, is extremely widespread, particularly in sandy, coastal soils and thin, upland soils. It begins sporadic flowering in late Autumn, continuing through the Winter, and going into full flower in Spring. Its evergreen, thorny and tough nature makes it an excellent windbreak and hedging plant, with the bonus of a somewhat coconut-like scent when in full flower.

As with the pea and bean family, Gorse fixes nitrogen in the soil, creating an environment in which other plants can establish and thrive, although it can be aggressive in ideal conditions and need burning off or cutting down to control spread. In Scotland, crofters and farmers traditionally used it as a Winter feed for cows, ponies and other livestock, grinding it to a palatable consistency with a whin-stone, either themselves or at the local mill. It can also be used as a fuel, burning well with little smoking even when quite green. Bell Heather, Erica cinerea and Ling Heather, Calluna vulgaris (right) Heather, Ling (Calluna vulgaris) and Heather, Bell (Erica cinerea) Ling is the best-known native Scottish heather, providing that famous purple bloom on the hills. Evergreen, and tough as old boots, this will, however, turn up its toes in chalk/lime soil, and won’t really thrive in neutral soil unless planted with a good dose of ericaceous (acid) compost.

Being a plant adapted to harsh, damp conditions, a water-retentive soil works best, and a vigorous haircut in Spring to imitate the depredations of deer and so on, should have it coming back year after year. The passion for alpine and rock gardens since the 19th Century has spurred many old cultivars, so you can now get white, pink and blue colours with a similar hardiness. Flowering period is generally July to September, but this varies according to both region and altitude. Very similar to the calluna, the Bell heather has brighter purple/magenta blooms, and is more adapted to high and rocky places, so a thin, gritty soil with high drainage will make it happy. Again, flowering period varies according to situation, but on the whole it comes into bloom slightly earlier than the ling variety. In the wild, they often co-exist, with ling setting up camp in damp hollows of rocks, and the bell colonizing the drier areas. Both these species have been developed to take advantage of their hardiness, and there are plenty of varieties that will bloom throughout the winter months.

Cross-Leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) in bloom, and detail from a Dutch botanical plate of 1800, showing the distinctive crossed pattern of the scale leaves Cross-Leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) A relation of the heather, this is somewhat rare, but another that is fond of the wet, and produces its mid-pink blooms at the tips of the stems in peaty and boggy areas between June and October. Charles Darwin himself theorised that this species might be at least partly-carnivorous, due to it possessing glands that produce an adhesive substance, but it’s more likely these are just to help it hang on when the wind gets up a bit … Scottish Bluebell or Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia (left), the famous Scottish Bluebell matchbox, and the English Bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta (right) Scottish Bluebell (Campanula rotundifolia) Known south of the border as the Harebell, this differs markedly from the famous English bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta) in that its growth is more bushy, with delicate, upright, branching stems and larger, bluish-purple bell-shaped blooms.

Unlike its namesake, which colonises woodland and shaded areas, the Harebell is adapted to poor, moorland soil and dry upland areas. Unsurprisingly, it is hardy in low winter temperatures, and flowers continuously from late spring into autumn given temperatures above 12°C. Having said all that, the English bluebell is very common in Scottish woodlands, so a good deal of confusion occurs over which is which. As is the case south of the border, this species is under threat from the introduction to gardens of the Spanish bluebell, which is more agressive in its reproduction. Steps have been taken to preserve what should really be termed the British bluebell, and it is now protected by law. Scottish Flame Flower, Tropaeolum speciosum flower detail (left), in an apt setting, and berry detail (right) Scottish Flame Flower (Tropaeolum speciosum) Originally found in Chile and Peru, this striking climber is thought to have been brought to Scotland by a plant collector sometime in the 19th century, and has naturalised so sucessfully, particularly in old, abandoned gardens, the ‘Scottish’ is frequently added to the common name.

A member of the nasturtium family, it grows up to 3 metres tall, and produces masses of vibrant scarlet pansy-petalled blooms from July to September, followed by intense blue berries in the Autumn. Flowering most prolifically in cooler summers, it needs a shaded, moist and peaty root run, and once established, is extremely hardy. As with most nasturtiums, the flowers are edible, and can be added to fruit or green salads for a dash of artistry. Interestingly, it also thrives well in New Zealand, where it has become so rampant it is now classed as a weed! Links A particularly useful link is the Natural History Museum’s postcode plant finder; simply pop in the first part of your postcode, and the search facility will list both modern and historically recorded wild plants for your area. Great for identifying ‘weeds’ that might be worth a stay of execution. Heather | Trees for Life Distribution Global distribution Heather occurs widely throughout Europe, from the British Isles and Spain east to the Ural Mountains in Russia, and from northern Scandinavia to Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. It also occurs in Iceland, Turkey, the Azores, Madeira and the mountains of northern Morocco.

In moorland and heathland areas throughout its range it is often the predominant vegetation, covering extensive tracts of land. Heather has been introduced to other parts of the world, including Canada and parts of the USA, as well as Australia and New Zealand, where it has become a problematic invasive weed , out-competing native plants. Distribution in Scotland Heather is one of the commonest and most widely distributed plants in Scotland, occurring in all parts of the country, and in a range of habitats, including open woodland on acid soils (for example the native pinewoods of the Caledonian Forest), dunes, moors, wet heaths and bogs. It grows from sea level to elevations of about 1,000 metres in the mountains, and, as heather moorland, is the most abundant vegetation community in large parts of the upland areas. However, the prevalence and predominance of heather today is, to a considerable extent, a human-created condition, resulting from past deforestation. Following the removal of the trees, the subsequent management of the land through burning (eg to maintain heather moorland for grouse shooting) or grazing, has prevented the return of the forest.

This is known as arrested succession, in which the natural process of ecological succession, whereby one group of plants or vegetation community is naturally replaced by another, is halted by human intervention. Although this has created large extents of heather moorland, it has also kept heather out of some areas, for example in the headwaters of the Affric River watershed. There, intensive grazing has maintained the presence of grasses, and prevented the natural succession to heather and then trees. Physical Characteristics Heather, or ling as it is also known, is a small bushy shrub in the heather family, Ericaceae, and is the only species in the genus Calluna . It is woody-stemmed and evergreen, and typically grows up to 60 cm. tall, although in good conditions it can reach 100 cm., or exceptionally 120 cm., in height. Each shrub has multiple branches, which are often intertwined. The branches can take root individually at their bases, and have numerous short side shoots. The leaves are 1 - 3 mm. long, stalk-less and grow in four vertical rows on the branches.

They are tightly packed together on the side shoots, but more openly spaced on the main branches. The leaves are scale-like in appearance, with the edges curling in, and are dark green in colour, with reddish-brown tips when they are new. Heather can live for over 30 years, and its lifecycle is defined in four phases. The first, pioneer phase, which lasts for 5 - 6 years, covers the period from germination to the development of a fully-established bush, when growth takes place vertically and heather still co-exists with a variety of other plants. The second, building phase, continues until the plant is about 15 years old, in which it grows laterally, forming a dense canopy, and patches of heather exclude all other species. The third, mature phase, which lasts until about 25 years, sees the plant continuing to grow, but less vigorously and the centre of the bush becomes more open and mosses grow underneath, aided by the humidity provided by the canopy of branches. In the final, degenerate phase, the growth of new shoots declines and the central branches collapse.

The canopy of heather branches becomes more open, enabling other vascular plants and new heather seedlings to become established, as the original plant declines and eventually dies. In most situations in Scotland, young pioneer trees, such as birch (Betula spp.) and rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) would grow at this stage, in the process of natural succession that would see heather moorland replaced by forest. Reproduction Heather begins flowering in July, reaching a peak in August, when whole hillsides turn purple from the colour of the blossoms. Some flowers persist into September or even early October. The flowers are bell-shaped, and consist of four petals that are fused at the base, forming a tube-like shape that is about 2 mm in diameter, and grow on leafy spikes or stalks that are 3 - 13 cm. in height. They are pinkish-purple in colour, although plants with white flowers do occur occasionally. Flowering is prolific, with each plant producing several thousand individual blossoms, and this, together with its abundance in moorland, is what enables heather to colour whole landscapes.

Pollination is mainly carried out by insects, with bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and, where they occur, honeybees (Apis mellifera) being the most effective polllinators. Other insects, including butterflies and moths (Lepidoptera) and flies (Diptera), also act as pollinators, and experiments where insects have been excluded from flowering heather have shown that some pollination by wind occurs as well. After pollination, the petals turn brown and an enclosed capsule forms, which contains the ripening seeds. This is pulled from the downward-pointing position of the flowers into an upright posture by the shriveling of the petals. Heather seeds are tiny, measuring 0.5 by 0.7 mm., and up to 30 occur in each capsule. A mature plant produces over 100,000 seeds per year, and overall seed production for areas dominated by heather has been estimated at over one million seeds per square metre. The seeds can remain viable for up to 100 years, and are dispersed mainly by wind, although animals brushing against the plants also act as carriers for them.

The empty seed capsules persist on the plants through winter into the following spring. Ecological Relationships One of the reasons credited for heather's success as a species is that it has a mycorrhizal relationship with a fungus (Rhizoscyphus ericae). In this mutually-beneficial relationship , the hyphae of the fungus wrap around and interpenetrate the roots of heather, and an exchange of nutrients takes place. The fungus aids the heather by providing minerals and water it accesses in the soil, while in return the plant provides sugars that are produced through the process of photosynthesis in its leaves. Because of its abundance, heather forms a food source for a large number of organisms. The majority of these are insects, including beetles, flies and bugs, and other invertebrates such as spiders. The most important invertebrates, in terms of biomass, are the larvae of Lepidoptera - mainly moth species.

More than 100 species of moth caterpillars have been recorded feeding on heather in the UK, and some of the most abundant ones include the ling pug (Eupithecia goossensiata), common heath (Ematurga atomaria) and the northern eggar (Lasiocampa quercus callunae). Research has shown that the density of caterpillars on heather is usually 10 - 15 per square metre, but can be as high as 50 per square metre. Amongst the beetles feeding on heather is a leaf beetle (Altica ericeti) that has been found in Glen Affric, and has, on occasion, caused considerable damage to heather moorland in England. The most notorious beetle associated with heather though is the 6 mm. long heather beetle (Lochmaea suturalis). The larvae and adults of this species both feed on heather, ring-barking the stems and killing the plants.

Significant outbreaks can lead to the death of large areas of heather, although in time the beetle populations are reduced by natural predators , which include the hieroglyphic ladybird (Coccinella hieroglyphica), a parasitic wasp (Asecodes mento) and a parasitic fungus (Beauveria bassiana). A number of different fungi are involved in the decomposition of dead heather, including the horsehair parachute fungus (Marasmius androsaceus) which grows on dead heather stems and leaves. Small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum), a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species , is semi-parasitic on a number of plant species, including heather. Heather is also important as a food source for a variety of bird species, including the red grouse ( Lagopus lagopus scoticus ), which feeds on the shoots, flowers and seeds. Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) also feed on heather in winter, and their chicks and those of the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) feed on moth larvae in the first weeks of their lives that are collected from heather and other plants.

However, the most significant ecological relationship affecting heather now is that with humans, who manage large areas of heather moorland to maintain populations of game birds such as red grouse. As a result of this, heather-clad landscapes will continue to predominate in many parts of the upland areas into the future. Alan Watson Featherstone Fungi Stay connected Sign up to our newsletter and we will send you a monthly update of news and events at Trees for Life Sign up About Trees for Life The core purpose and vision of Trees for Life is to restore the Caledonian Forest and all its constituent species of flora and fauna to the Scottish Highlands. By engaging volunteers to achieve this, we aim to provide a powerful and educational experience that will promote the work of restoration to wider audiences. Through providing a demonstration of the techniques of ecological restoration, we aim to inspire similar projects elsewhere in the UK and around the world. Scottish Heather - The Legendary Flower Of Scotland Scottish Heather - Versatile & Beautiful Scottish heather is perfectly suited to the wild and rugged hills of Scotland. 'The most common type is 'Ling' heather which is hardy and fast growing, and loves wet soil.... ......

with all the rain we get north of the border it's one very happy little plant! Heather grows freely and abundantly spreading it's glorious purple hues across around five million acres of Scottish moorland, glens and hills. Perhaps it's because it was (and still is) so readily available that the Scots have found so many practical uses for one of their national flowers. The name 'Heather' may come from the old Scottish word 'haeddre' which is seen as far back as the 14th Century. It may also have been called 'heddir' or 'hathar' at different periods of time, and is also sometimes known as 'Ling Heather', referring to the old Norse word 'Lyng' which meant 'light in weight'. Click on these links to jump to.... About Scottish Heather The color of wild Scottish heather usually ranges from lilac to purple. You can also find white heather growing wild but it's much less common - perhaps that's one of the reasons it's thought to be lucky. Other species can be found in a variety of colors, from gold or copper, to red or even silver-gray.

Heather usually blooms twice a year in Scotland, in early summer and then during the late summer and early fall (Autumn). Although it varies from year to year depending on weather, the best time to see the full beauty of Heather in Scotland is often between late July and early September. Yep, August is THE month! If you're visiting Scotland in the summertime, it's a sight you don't want to miss! Heather - Legends & Myths Myths and magic are so tightly woven into Scotland's history that it's sometimes impossible to separate reality from legend. Although in lots of ways we Scots are a down-to-earth race, we're also surprisingly sentimental, emotional and superstitious. It's just one of the things that makes our country so endlessly fascinating! Just like any other Scottish symbol, the humble heather plant has it's fair share of legends attached to it. We're going to share two of the most popular ones with you. Both of these stories have their origins in the very early days of Scottish history and we hope you'll be as intrigued by them as we are. Enjoy.

The Last Pictish King & Heather Ale: One of the most well-known legends is centered around a confrontation between Viking raiders and the last surviving Pictish King. Some accounts put it during the 4th Century AD, but as the Vikings didn't actually appear on Scottish soil until the end of the 8th Century, this is unlikely.... although of course, it's a legend, so there's a bit of 'wiggle room' here! After their army is defeated, the Pictish King and his son find themselves cornered on a cliff-top, where the Viking chief tortures them in an attempt to obtain the secret recipe for Heather Ale. The King of the Picts is quick witted, but doubts that his son is strong enough to withstand the torture without giving up the recipe. So he makes a deal with the Viking Chief, saying that if his son is spared the torture and killed quickly, he himself will reveal the secret. The young prince is then thrown off the cliff and into the sea where he drowns quickly. BUT, the Pictish King doesn't uphold his end of the arrangement, and although it costs him his life he wins the battle and the recipe is safe.

In some variations of the tale the brave King takes the Viking over the edge of the cliff with him. Why White Heather Is Lucky For Brides Wild Scottish Heather is most often some shade of purple, with white heather being much more rare. Legend has it that in the 3rd Century AD, Malvina (daughter of the legendary Scottish poet, Ossian), was betrothed (engaged to be married) to a Celtic warrior named Oscar. Tragically (but not unexpectedly!), Oscar died in battle, and when Malvina heard the news she was heartbroken. The messenger who delivered the bad news, also delivered a spray of purple heather that Oscar had sent as a final token of his undying love for her. It's said that when Malvinas' tears fell onto the flowers in her hand, they immediately turned white, and this magical occurrence prompted her to say 'although it is the symbol of my sorrow, may the white heather bring good fortune to all who find it.' Even today, white Heather is considered to be lucky, especially for brides, and adding a spray of it to your bouquet, on table decorations and so on is popular. The Luckiest Plant On Earth?

But it's not only brides who believe that white Scottish Heather is a symbol of good luck. As I mentioned earlier, the Scottish people are big on superstition, good (and bad) 'omens', legends, luck and so forth, and white heather is like a four-leaf clover to us. In 1884 even Queen Victoria commented on this character trait during a visit to the Scottish Highlands. Describing an incident which involved one of her personal servants, she said ..... '... he espied a piece of white heather, and jumped off to pick it. No Hihglander would pass by it without picking it, for it was considered to bring good luck.' Other myths surrounding the magical properties of white Scottish Heather include: The belief that it grows only on ground where blood has not been shed in battle (given Scotlands' warlike history, this may explain its' rarity!). Also, more enchantingly, that it grows over the final resting place of Faeries. White heather is closely associated with battles and conflict, and is said to bring good luck to whoever wears it. The Chiefs of the Clan MacDonald are said to have attached a spray of wild Scottish heather to their spears.

It's also been linked to the MacAlister, MacIntyre, Ranald, Farquharson, MacPherson and Shaw clans , often being used as a clan symbol in the days before more sophisticated heraldic badges existed. Victorious after a 1544 battle, the Clan Ranald believed that the white heather they had worn was the reason for their success. Around 200 years later, Ewan of Cluny (Chief of the Clan MacPherson), was forced to flee and hide after the Battle of Culloden. Cluny evaded capture at one point, when those searching for him didn't notice him sleeping in a patch of white Heather, reinforcing the belief that it was lucky. With such a rich and varied history, it's no wonder Scottish Heather is one of the most enduring and recognizable symbols of Scotland. In our opinion, the reputation is well deserved, don't you? History & Traditional Uses Heather has been plentiful in Scotland for as long as it's history has been written (and probably before that too). The Druids (understood to be an ancient order of Celtic priests) considered it a sacred plant.

Even today some people consider it to have almost supernatural properties, sort of a 'charm', which is believed to offer protection from harm (especially rape or violent attack). On a more mundane level it's used in aromatherapy to relieve a host of different problems. Over thousands of years, the inventive, practical and resourceful Scots have found a whole host of uses for this natural bounty: Interesting Tid-Bit! The virtues of a mattress made from Scottish heather were described by King James VI's tutor, George Buchanan like this: '...... so pleasant, that it may vie in softness with the finest down, while in salubrity it far exceeds it.... and restores strength to fatigued nerves, so that those who lie down languid and weary in the evening, arise in the morning vigorous and sprightly.' Construction - especially on Scotland's islands, heather played a major role in building construction. It was used in walls, thatched roofs, ropes, pegs and more. It also appeared in the thatched roofs of mainland houses. Mattresses & beds - since ancient times (going back thousands of years before Christ was born) dried Scottish heather was used as a sort of fragrant and bouncy mattress.

Evidence of this has been found in a 4000 year old village on the island of Skara Brae in the Orkneys. Historically, heather beds were considered to be just as comfortable as feather beds (not sure I'd go that far myself) because the dried stalks and flowers are so light and soft. A bed made from heather had the added extra of original aromatherapy, and the fragrant flower heads were usually placed towards the top of the mattress where the sleeper's head would lie. Household tools - heather stems are tough, strong and resilient (like the Scottish people), and were used in making a whole variety of implements including brooms, farming tools such as hoes or rakes and ropes. To dye cloth - the beautiful color of highland heather was perfect for dying roughspun cloth and wool. Depending on the type of heather used (and what it was combined with) it could produce muted yellow, gold, bronze, gray, green and purple colors. Even today 'heather' is a popular color in traditional Scottish clothing - and of course it features heavily in many tartans .

As medicine - heather was believed to have some amazing medicinal properties, and was used by ancient Scots to treat all sorts of conditions and ailments. These included nervousness and anxiety, coughs, consumption (now known as TB), digestive issues, poisoning, blindness, arthritis, rheumatism and more. It was made into a wide variety of different drinks, potions, ointments and salves. Today Heather is still used effectively in aromatherapy products to treat digestive upset, skin problems, coughs and insomnia. Also as an internal cleanser and detoxifier, due to it's slightly diuretic properties. And last, but not least, heather is used to create the most deliciously scented soaps, candles, perfumes and more.... each can whisk you away to a land of clean air, sparkling water and scudding clouds, where the sharp scent of pine mixes with gentle gentle scent of highland heather. Mmmm....

wonderful :) Ling Heather | Project Noah Ling Heather Tweet Description: Referred to as Erica in all the old references, Calluna was separated from the closely related genus Erica by Richard Anthony Salisbury, who devised the generic name Calluna from the Greek kallunein, "to sweep up", in reference to its traditional use in besoms. The specific epithet vulgaris is Latin for 'common'. Calluna is differentiated from Erica by its corolla and calyx each being in four parts instead of five. Calluna has small scale-leaves (less than 2–3 mm long) borne in opposite and decussate pairs, whereas those of Erica are generally larger and in whorls of 3-4, sometimes 5.[3] The flowers emerge in late summer; in wild plants these are normally mauve, but white-flowered plants also occur occasionally. Unlike Erica, Calluna sometimes sports double flowers. Calluna is sometimes referred to as "Summer (or Autumn) Heather" to distinguish it from Erica ("Winter (or Spring) Heather"). Habitat: Calluna vulgaris (known as Common Heather, ling, or simply heather)[1] is the sole species in the genus Calluna in the family Ericaceae.

It is a low-growing perennial shrub growing to 20 to 50 centimetres (7.9 to 20 in) tall, or rarely to 1 metre (39 in) and taller,[2] and is found widely in Europe and Asia Minor on acidic soils in open sunny situations and in moderate shade. It is the dominant plant in most heathland and moorland in Europe, and in some bog vegetation and acidic pine and oak woodland. It is tolerant of grazing and regenerates following occasional burning, and is often managed in nature reserves and grouse moors by sheep or cattle grazing, and also by light burning. Notes: Heather is an important food source for various sheep and deer which can graze the tips of the plants when snow covers low-growing vegetation. Willow Grouse and Red Grouse feed on the young shoots and seeds of this plant.[6] Both adult and larva of the Heather Beetle Lochmaea suturalis feed on it, and can cause extensive mortality in some instances. The larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species also feed on the plant, notably the small emperor moth Saturnia pavonia.

Formerly heather was used to dye wool yellow and to tan leather. With malt, heather is an ingredient in gruit, a mixture of flavourings used in the brewing of heather-beer during the Middle Ages before the use of hops. Thomas Pennant wrote in A Tour in Scotland (1769) that on the Scottish island of Islay "ale is frequently made of the young tops of heath, mixing two thirds of that plant with one of malt, sometimes adding hops".[7] The use of heather in the brewing of modern heather beer is carefully regulated. By law[specify], the heather must be cleaned carefully before brewing, as the undersides of the leaves may contain a dusting of an ergot-like fungus, which is a hallucinogenic intoxicant.[citation needed] Heather honey is a highly valued product in moorland and heathland areas, with many beehives being moved there in late summer.

Not always as valued as it is today,[8] and dismissed as mel improbum by Dioscurides.[9] heather honey has a characteristic strong taste, and an unusual texture, for it is thixotropic, being a jelly until stirred, when it becomes a syrup like other honey, but then sets again to a jelly. This makes the extraction of the honey from the comb difficult, and it is therefore often sold as comb honey. White heather is regarded in Scotland as being lucky, a tradition brought from Balmoral to England by Queen Victoria.[10] and sprigs of it are often sold as a charm and worked into bridal bouquets. spotted in Peneda-Gerês national Park in the mountain 1 species ID suggestions Ling - Norfolk Wildlife Trust Ling Update: 18 January 2017 Following the flooding a... Features Heather by Elizabeth Dack 1/1 Ling Calluna vulgaris Ling, which is also often known as common heather, is a widespread species in the UK and in Norfolk. It is the dominant plant in most UK moorland and heathland and this situation prevails in Norfolk. It is a low-growing, bristly shrub with small, hard leaves.

In late summer it produces many small pale pink flowers which are very attractive to bees. Conservation status Though essentially restricted to heathland, ling is common in Norfolk and is of no conservation concern. Details Did you know? Ling was traditionally used in the making of besoms. Its scientific name Calluna, derived from the ancient Greek verb meaning to sweep clean, is a reference to this historic use. Heather heaths are managed by Norfolk Wildlife Trust by grazing tough, traditional breeds of sheep. As this has been one of the uses of heaths for centuries, grazing helps preserve the heathland habitat, favouring the rare, sun-loving, habitat-specific species which live in it. How to recognise Three species of heather occur in Norfolk, of which ling is by far the most common. Bell heather is best identified in late summer when it has relatively large, bright purple bell-shaped flowers. It is not found on all of Norfolk’s heath. Cross-leaved heath is generally restricted to wet areas. Its name comes from the crosses of four leaves which grow from its stems and twigs. It generally looks downy and has pale whitish-pink flowers in late summer.

Ling by contrast is common and may be found on every Norfolk heath and on many Breck grasslands. Its flowers are pale pink and are much smaller and less bell-shaped than those of the other two species. Where to see The largest concentration of ling in Norfolk is to be found at NWT Roydon Common and NWT Grimston Warren in the Gaywood Valley near King’s Lynn. It is also very common at NWT Buxton Heath in the Bure Valley and on the heaths of the Holt-Cromer Ridge in North Norfolk. It may be seen at many other sites including many grasslands in the Brecks. When to see All heathers are best appreciated in August and September when their flowers turn otherwise brown and green heathland into a blaze of purple and pink. On the Holt-Cromer Ridge heaths, for example Holt Lowes and Kelling Heath, ling and bell heather flower alongside the golden blooms of western gorse, giving a display which is unforgettable. Find out more Ling Heather - Calluna Vulgaris - Western Isles Wildflowers - Pink Flowers of The Hebrides Bell Heather - Erica cinerea The purple or bell heather- Erica cinerea, commences flowering in early June.

This heather likes the dryer places and so grows on rocks or dry moorland. As suggested by its common name the flowers are bell shaped. .. Ling Heather -Pinky Purple - Lilac Wild Flowers Seen All Over The Western Isles, this lovely heather with its pretty pinky purple Spikes of urn-shaped wildflowers are the last of the three types of heather to show their faces in the Hebrides. It is a woody-stemmed and evergreen shrub which has many branches. It is quite prolific as the branches can take root easily. The branches also have lots of side shoots. The plant reaches 50 - 60cm in height. This heather prefers acid soils. Meaning of the Name Calluna The latin name Calluna derived from the Greek word kalluno meaning "to sweep". Ling heather was used in times gone by to make brushes. It was tied in bundles to a handle. THese brushes were used inside the houses. Water Evaporation Ling heather is to be be found on the drier hummocks of the bogs.

Its tiny leaves are covered in a waxy coat to conserve water as the peat at its roots can sometimes dry out during the summer As the leaves of the ling heather are small and are in rolled, water loss is prevented and there isn't so much water lost from evaporation which means that this plant copes well in extreme weather conditions and flowers for a long time. PInk Wildflowers Click pictures below for larger photographs Ling Heather - Calluna Vulgaris The last heather to flower, in July is the Ling heather which flowers on the heaths & moors. Ling heather likes a slightly drier acidic ground than the other two heathers seen here in The Western Isles, but still thrives well.... Roots of Ling Heather The roots of ling heather are are surrounded by a mesh of fungal threads growing into the roots. They help the roots in getting minerals and water from the peat in exchange for sugars produced in the leaves of the heather. These are called mycorrhiza. Ling Heather conserves nutrients on the bog using its evergreen leaves. This means that the plant uses the leaves to make food for more than one year which is why the ling heather is so prolific.

There are 3 Types of Heather on The Western Isles Each of these Has a very different appearance and likes very different habitats and conditions. a)Bell Heather b) Cross Leaved Heath Heather and c) Ling Heather Pollination The fact that the ling heather flowers for a long period means of course that it is an excellent source of pollen for the insects. It is very good for the bees and butterflies. Leaves The leaves growing on the branches are 1 - 3 mm. long, stalk-less and grow in four vertical rows. They are oblong and opposite. The leaves are tightly packed together on the side shoots, but more openly spaced on the main branches. The leaves are scale-like in appearance, with the edges curling in, and are dark green in colour, with reddish-brown tips when they are new. The short, narrow leaves are borne in 4 rows along stems Ling Heather is Used in Wine and Beers - Tea The flowers of Ling Heather are brewed used in drinks. They are brewed into wine and also used in several ales. The flowers are also used in the production of a kind of "tea" drink..

Question: What is the more common name for the Moorland shrub known as ling?
Answer: HEATHER