Plants of the Heath

The open lowland heath landscape is characterised by low-growing shrubs like gorse and heather. The other plant which grows here in abundance is bracken.

Common gorse can be seen in flower all year round. In winter its yellow flowers brighten the brown and grey shades of the heath, and in spring the air is filled with the smell of coconuts from the gorse. It is a member of the pea family, so look out for ripe seed pods in late spring or listen out for them popping in the summer heat.

The purple expanse of heather is characteristic of lowland heath in the summer. Other plants include haresfoot clover and St John's wort. Typical grasses are bristlebent and sheep's fescue. In areas of wet heath, look out for marsh gentian, sphagnum moss and the carnivorous sundews.