Cross-Leaved Heath


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CROSS-LEAVED HEATH

Erica tetralix

Identify this heather by its tightly clustered, drooping, pale pink bell-shaped flowers. It is evergreen (its foliage stays green all year round) and has an almost silvery sheen, with larger, paler flowers than the similar-looking Bell Heather. It gets its name from the way the leaves occur in groups of four, each group arranged like a cross along its stem.

Cross-leaved Heath is a valuable source of nectar for a variety of bees, moths and other nectar-loving invertebrates.

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Where/when to find it

It flowers from June to September on acidic wet heaths, moors, and bogs. Look for it in damper areas of heathland.

Adaptations

Its narrow, needle-like leaves minimise water loss.

Rarity

Common and widespread throughout the UK.

Read more

On Plant Life’s website: Cross-leaved Heath

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