Cross-Leaved Heath
Back Cross-leaved Heath Common Heather Bell Heather Common Gorse Dwarf Gorse Sundew
CROSS-LEAVED HEATH
Erica tetralix
Identify this heather by its tightly clustered, drooping, pale pink bell-shaped flowers. It is evergreen (its foliage stays green all year round) and has an almost silvery sheen, with larger, paler flowers than the similar-looking Bell Heather. It gets its name from the way the leaves occur in groups of four, each group arranged like a cross along its stem.
Cross-leaved Heath is a valuable source of nectar for a variety of bees, moths and other nectar-loving invertebrates.
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- This type of heather is called Cross-leaved Heath, you’ll find it in damper areas. Take a close look at the arrangement of leaves and you’ll see where it gets its name.
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- Crossed-leaved Heath by Martin D’Arcy
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- Cross-leaved Heath by Jonathan Shavelar
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- Silver-studded Blue butterfly by Gary Attfield
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Where/when to find it
It flowers from June to September on acidic wet heaths, moors, and bogs. Look for it in damper areas of heathland.
Adaptations
Its narrow, needle-like leaves minimise water loss.
Rarity
Common and widespread throughout the UK.
Read more
On Plant Life’s website: Cross-leaved Heath
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