heather

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Scotch heather
• Scottish heather
• heather
• ling
• red heather
• Common Heather
• Scots heather
• red-heath
• Ling Heather
• autumn heather
• summer heather

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Calluna vulgaris f. purpurea
• Calluna sagittifolia var. hirsuta
• Calluna erica var. hirsuta
• Calluna vulgaris f. searlei
• Calluna vulgaris f. nana
• Calluna erica proles beleziae
• Calluna erica proles olbiensis
• Calluna vulgaris subsp. elegantissima
• Calluna vulgaris f. elegantissima
• Calluna pyrenaica
• Calluna alpestris
• Calluna vulgaris var. glabra
• Calluna vulgaris f. apetala
• Erica lutescens
• Calluna vulgaris var. alba
• Calluna vulgaris var. purpurea
• Erica confusa
• Calluna atlantica
• Ericoides vulgaris
• Erica reginae
• Calluna beleziana
• Erica sagittifolia
• Calluna vulgaris var. hammondii
• Erica vulgaris
• Erica vulgaris var. alba
• Calluna vulgaris f. hammondii
• Calluna elegantissima
• Erica vulgaris searlei
• Erica prostrata
• Calluna erica
• Erica nana
• Calluna genuina
• Calluna vulgaris f. versicolor
• Calluna vulgaris subf. searlei
• Calluna vulgaris f. albiflora
• Calluna sagittifolia
• Calluna vulgaris f. multiplex
• Calluna vulgaris var. variegata
• Calluna vulgaris f. alba
• Calluna vulgaris f. variegata
• Calluna vulgaris f. aurea
• Calluna vulgaris var. aurea
• Calluna vulgaris var. cuprea
• Calluna vulgaris f. cuprea
• Erica vulgaris var. hirsuta
• Calluna vulgaris f. decumbens
• Calluna vulgaris var. decumbens
• Calluna vulgaris var. hirsuta
• Calluna vulgaris subf. pendula
• Erica vulgaris var. squarrosa
• Erica vulgaris var. plena
• Calluna vulgaris var. nana
• Calluna brumalis
• Calluna vulgaris var. prostrata
• Calluna sancta
• Calluna vulgaris var. foxii
• Calluna vulgaris f. foxii
• Calluna vulgaris subf. compacta
• Calluna olbiensis
• Calluna vulgaris var. tomentosa
• Calluna vulgaris var. ciliaris
• Calluna vulgaris var. pubens
• Calluna vulgaris f. bealeae
• Calluna vulgaris var. incana
• Calluna vulgaris var. atrorubens
• Calluna vulgaris var. patula
• Calluna vulgaris f. atrorubens
• Calluna vulgaris var. pubescens
• Calluna vulgaris var. alportii
• Calluna vulgaris f. alportii
• Erica sagittifolia var. villosa
• Calluna vulgaris var. serotina
• Calluna vulgaris f. serotina
• Calluna vulgaris var. albiflora
• Calluna erica var. condensata
• Calluna vulgaris var. condensata
• Calluna vulgaris subf. serotina
• Calluna vulgaris f. grandiflora
• Calluna vulgaris f. parviflora
• Calluna vulgaris f. stricta
• Calluna vulgaris f. pauciflora
• Calluna vulgaris f. campanulata
• Calluna vulgaris f. microphylla
• Calluna vulgaris subf. fasciata
• Calluna vulgaris f. patula
• Calluna vulgaris f. erecta
• Calluna vulgaris f. minima
• Calluna vulgaris f. rigida
• Calluna vulgaris f. praecox
• Calluna vulgaris subf. tenuis
• Calluna vulgaris f. autumnalis
• Calluna vulgaris f. hiemalis
• Calluna vulgaris subf. erythrostyla
• Calluna vulgaris subf. aureifolia
• Calluna vulgaris subf. pumila
• Calluna vulgaris subf. hammondii
• Calluna vulgaris f. alboviolacea
• Calluna vulgaris f. albopurpurea
• Calluna vulgaris f. argentea
• Calluna vulgaris f. rhodostachys
• Calluna vulgaris subf. aureovariegata
• Calluna vulgaris subf. chlorostachys
• Calluna vulgaris f. chlorostachys
• Calluna vulgaris f. incana
• Calluna vulgaris f. gynodioeca
• Calluna vulgaris subf. simplicissima
• Calluna vulgaris subf. microsepala
• Calluna vulgaris f. clistanthes
• Calluna vulgaris f. brachysepala
• Calluna vulgaris subf. densa
• Calluna vulgaris f. terminalis
• Calluna vulgaris f. multibracteata
• Calluna vulgaris subf. torta
• Calluna vulgaris subf. deflorata
• Calluna vulgaris subf. pentamera
• Calluna vulgaris f. polysepala
• Calluna vulgaris subf. extensa
• Calluna vulgaris subf. recta
• Calluna vulgaris subf. serotina
• Calluna vulgaris subf. gemmata
• Calluna vulgaris subf. pilulifera
• Calluna vulgaris subf. conica
• Calluna vulgaris subf. subplena
• Calluna vulgaris subf. adscendens
• Calluna vulgaris subf. curvata
• Calluna vulgaris subf. tardiflora
• Calluna vulgaris f. polypetala
• Calluna vulgaris subf. rosea
• Calluna vulgaris subf. lilacina
• Calluna vulgaris f. plena
• Calluna vulgaris subf. hermaphrodita
• Calluna vulgaris subf. fertilis
• Calluna vulgaris subf. polystyla
• Calluna vulgaris f. diplocalyx
• Calluna vulgaris subf. carnea
• Calluna vulgaris subf. elata
• Calluna vulgaris subf. gracilis
• Calluna vulgaris f. bicolor
• Calluna vulgaris f. multicolor
• Calluna vulgaris f. monstrosa
• Calluna vulgaris f. pilosa
• Calluna vulgaris f. lutescens
• Calluna vulgaris f. compressa
• Calluna vulgaris subf. coccinea
• Calluna vulgaris f. pallens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Ericales and the family Ericaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Calluna, specifically as the species Calluna vulgaris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. The species also inhabits the rugged terrains of the Faroe Islands. Additionally, its range extends across the diverse environments of Great Britain. Finally, the distribution includes the unique volcanic terrain of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Calluna vulgaris is characterized by its high adaptability to diverse and often nutrient-poor environments, ranging from burn clearings and forests to open heathlands, sandy soils, and even swampy terrains. It maintains a broad geographical distribution with a mean elevational range of approximately 276 m AMSL, allowing it to thrive in both lowland and montane landscapes. A critical component of its survival and nutrient acquisition strategy is its symbiotic relationship with fungi, as it utilizes mycorrhizae to enhance its ability to absorb essential minerals from its often acidic or leached substrates.

Elevational range mean:

276 m AMSL

Habitat :

burn clearings, forest, heath, sand, swamps

Mycorrhiza :

yes

Life history

The life history of Calluna vulgaris is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a chamaephyte life form, meaning its buds are located close to the ground level, which provides a structural advantage in its typical habitats. As an evergreen species, it maintains its foliage throughout the year, ensuring continuous photosynthetic capacity regardless of the season.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Calluna vulgaris is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically classified as a shrub. It functions as a self-supporting, independent organism, neither acting as a climber nor as a parasite, and it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than being aquatic or epiphytic. In terms of physical dimensions, the plant exhibits a height that varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a minimum recorded height of 0.2 m, a maximum of 1 m, and a mean height of approximately 0.883 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.883 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Calluna vulgaris is characterized by several specialized adaptations, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on typical soil nutrient uptake. Its leaf morphology is highly specialized for its environment, featuring a maximum leaf length of 0.3 cm and a mean leaf size of approximately 0.00967 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 117.33 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf thickness and resource allocation strategies within its ecological niche.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

0.3 cm

Leaf size mean:

0.00967 cm²

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

117.33 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Calluna vulgaris is primarily sexual, utilizing bisexual flowers to facilitate genetic exchange. The flowering period typically begins in July and extends through September. The pollination process is a biotic mechanism, specifically driven by insects, with bees acting as key pollinators. In terms of reproductive success, self-fertilization is absent, emphasizing the importance of cross-pollination. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry, dehiscent capsules as its fruit type. These capsules release a high volume of seeds, with each fruit containing more than 1,000 seeds. The individual seeds are characterized by a mean mass of approximately $2.93 \times 10^{-5}$ g (ranging from $1 \times 10^{-5}$ g to $5 \times 10^{-5}$ g) and a consistent volume of $0.027 \text{ mm}^3$. Dispersal is an anemochorous process, meaning the seeds are distributed by the wind. There is no recorded evidence of asexual reproduction for this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

5e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

2.93333333333333e-05 g

Seed mass min:

1e-05 g

Seed volume max:

0.027 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Calluna vulgaris has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, Flavonoids, (+)-Gallocatechin, (-)-Epigallocatechin, 4-(3-oxobut-1-enylidene)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one.

Flavonoid

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
2. Biologia futura

Flavonoids

1. Biotechnology, biotechnological equipment
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

(+)-Gallocatechin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

(-)-Epigallocatechin

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

4-(3-oxobut-1-enylidene)-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-one

1. Current biology : CB

Aucubin

1. Biologia futura

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Condensed Tannins

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

Hyperoside

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Calluna vulgaris has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antibacterial, Antiparasitic, Anxiolytic.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica
3. Biologia futura

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Biologia futura

Antibacterial

1. Acta poloniae pharmaceutica

Antiparasitic

1. Veterinary world

Anxiolytic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Bacteriostatic

1. Biologia futura

Medicinal Uses

Calluna vulgaris has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, E. coli, MRSA, antioxidant, anxiety.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations