Heather
(Calluna vulgaris)
Heather (also known as ling) is an evergreen shrub with purple or pink (occasionally white) flowers in the late summer and early autumn. Low-growing, it reaches a height between 60 cm and 1 m. It thrives on poor soil; open grassland, bogs and moorland as well as just above the treeline on higher hills. Plants can live for up to 40 years.
Heather dominates the moors between Killearn and the Campsies. It recovers quickly after burning, controversially used as a way to manage the moors and to generate new growth favoured by grouse. Burning can take place between October and April.
Historically heather was extremely widespread across Britain but its coverage has been reduced over the centuries by farming, grazing and building.
Fascinating fact:
The name ‘heathland’ derives from heather-land .Heathland develops when trees are cleared on poor acidic soil. Heather then flourishes while grazing animals or fire prevent trees from becoming re-established.
Bees are attracted to heather flowers – the nectar and the resulting honey is highly prized. Heather provides food for sheep and deer over winter. Grouse feed on young shoots and seeds. Larvae of the heather beetle, and various species of butterflies and moths feed on heather.
Calluna is derived from the Greek for ‘to brush’ and vulgaris means ‘common’.
Uses
Heather roots were used for carving the handles of dirks. In addition, heather plants were used in the past for making besoms (brushes), bedding, thatch for roofing and packaging.
It continues to be used to make heather ales in Scotland. Heather ale has been made in Scotland for thousands of years – archaeologists have found traces of an alcoholic drink made from heather on shards of pottery more than 3,000 years old!
Did you know
Heather is an iconic flower of Scotland. White heather flowers (rarer than the normal pink and purple flowers) are regarded as being lucky, a tradition brought by Queen Victoria from her estate at Balmoral to England, and sprigs of it are often included bridal bouquets.