Bog Asphodel
 
Peatland
     

Plants

Heather -
Cross-leaved

Heather - Cross-leaved. Click here to view a detailed image.

Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix)

Cross-leaved Heath is found on raised and blanket bogs as a low, sprawling shrub. It is so called due to the arrangement of its leaves in fours along its stem, which distinguishes it from other types of Heather. The small pink urn-shaped flowers appear between June and August in groups of 5 - 15 per stem. Their colour and scent attract the attentions of many flying insects during the summer months and their foliage provides food for grazing animals throughout the year. Cross-leaved Heath is widespread throughout Northern Ireland.

Click here to view distribution map. Click here to view a distribution map of the Heather-Cross-leaved in Northern Ireland.

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