Sunday 19 May
Bell heather (Erica cinerea)
What’s the World’s Favourite Species?
Find out here.Bell heather fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Bell heather description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Anthophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Ericales |
| Family | Ericaceae |
| Genus | Erica (1) |
Bell heather is a feature of dry heaths where it grows to heights of 60 centimetres. The small leaves are dark green in colour, and the reddish-purple flowers occur in groups (2). Heather has been put to many uses over the years. It has been used as a bedding material for livestock and humans, bundles have been used as brooms or to thatch roofs, it has been burnt as a fuel, wound into ropes, and used to repair holes in trackways and roads (4).
- Also known as
- bell ling. Top
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Plantlife:
www.plantlife.org.uk -
The UK BAP Habitat Action Plans for heathlands:
http://www.ukbap.org.uk/habitats.aspx -
Royal Geographical Society’s Discovering Britain walks:
http://www.discoveringbritain.org/walks/region/south-west-england/quantocks.html -
National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (January, 2004)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn - Clapham, A.R., Tutin, T.G. and and Moore, D.M. (1987) Flora of the British Isles- 3rd Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Preston, C.D., Pearman, D.A. and Dines, T.D. (2002) New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
- Mabey, R. (1996) Flora Britannica. Sinclair-Stevenson, London.
- Marrs, R. (2004) Pers. comm.
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Bell heather biology
Bell heather flowers are pollinated by bumblebees or may be self-fertilised (2).
TopBell heather range
This heather is common throughout the British Isles, but becomes scarce in the English Midlands and has undergone a severe decline in southern England (3). It occurs throughout western Europe, reaching as far north as Norway and east to northern Italy (2).
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Species with a similar range
|
You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Bell heather habitat
Occurs on the drier heaths on thin, acidic or peaty soils and in Scot’s pine (Pinus sylvestris) or oak (Quercus) woodlands with open canopies (3). Tends not to be found in wetter places (5).
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Top
Species found in a similar habitat
Bell heather status
Not threatened (3).
TopBell heather threats
The decline of this species in England is the result of large scale loss of heathland. In chalk heath sites, a reduction in sheep and rabbit grazing has resulted in the growth of grasses and scrub, which has resulted in the loss of this species at these sites (3).
TopBell heather conservation
Although conservation action has not been targeted at this species, it is an important component species of many heathland communities, which are being protected via Habitat Action Plans under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) (5).
|
|
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Find out more
For more on information on British native plants, plant conservation and the UK BAP Habitat Action Plans for heathlands see:
You can see bell heather by visiting the Quantocks, Somerset:
Authentication
Authenticated (2004) by Professor Rob Marrs of the University of Liverpool:
http://www.liv.ac.uk/biolsci/ with the support of the British Ecological Society:
http://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/
References
More »Related species
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Image credit
Bell heather flowers
© Laurie Campbell / lauriecampbell.com
Laurie Campbell Photography
Hestia
Paxton
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1TE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1289 386 736
Fax: +44 (0) 1289 386 746
info@lauriecampbell.com
http://www.lauriecampbell.com
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