Plants

Heather - Ling

Heather - Ling (Calluna vulgaris)

Heather or ling colonises both lowland and blanket bogs. It can be distinguished from other Heathers by its scale-like leaves and its smaller, less distinct flowers, which also appear in greater numbers. The flowers are visited by a range of insects including honeybees who also act as pollinators. Heather prefers the drier areas of lowland and blanket bogs and its dominance can indicate drainage or water loss from these habitats. Heather cannot tolerate trampling or continued, heavy grazing which has lead to some degree of decline in parts, but it remains common and widespread throughout Northern Ireland.

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