Pink Heather
Image taken at Parkhall Countryside Park, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire. 'Heather' ('Calluna Vulgaris'/Ling, Scotch heather) belongs to the 'Ericaceae' family. The family has many genera and species, including 'Rhododendron'. Strictly speaking the word heather encompasses only the genus 'Calluna', but it is also used as a general term to cover heathers which are principally made up of two other genera: 'Erica' and 'Daboecia'. Botanically, 'Calluna' differs from those two by its tailed leaves without a stalk. 'Andromeda' is the other genera and are much less widely grown as garden plants. It is a monotypic genus of evergreen shrub which is found from the Artic Circle to North Africa and as far eastwards as the Ural Mountains. It is commonplace on the moorlands of northern Europe. Grouse, deer and many smaller mammals, reptiles and insects depend on heather to some degree or another for food and cover. Man, too, has made good use of it for thatching, rope, bedding and has even made ale from it! Heather is the home of Red Grouse which is shot as sport on estates.
Size: 3518px × 5314px
Location: Park Hall Countryside Park, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Photo credit: © dean nixon / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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