Template:Species-2019-05

Species of the month

Bell Heather

Erica cinerea L., Sp. pl. 1:352. 1753

Some facts about this species of plant:

Description: Bell Heather is a low, spreading shrub growing 15–60 cm tall, with fine needle-like 4–8 mm long leaves arranged in whorls of three. It is grown as an ornamental plant and as a source of heather honey.
Distribution: It is native to the west of Europe, where it is most abundant in Britain and Ireland, France, northern Spain and southern Norway. It also occurs in the Faroe Islands, Belgium, Germany, north-western Italy, and the Netherlands. It mostly occurs on moors and heathland with relatively dry, acidic, nutrient poor soils. It occurs in coastal dune heath and dune slack and occasionally in woodland.
Protection status: Least concern.
Etymology: The Latin specific epithet cinerea means "ash coloured".