Calluna vulgaris

(Ling, Langa, Hadder, “Scotch” heather or in the Gaelic “Fraoch” )

These are the true heathers, considered the most hardy of all the heathers. The plant is from the

family Ericaceae and singular to its genus. This variety is the most common on the moors of the Scottish Highlands. Blooms pink flowers(and sometimes white) in late August and September.

Kingdom:  Plantae. Division: Magnoliophyta. Class: Magnoliopsida. Order: Ericales. Family: Ericaceae. Genus: Calluna. Species: C. vulgaris.

Binomial name: Calluna vulgaris.

Erica cinerea

(“Bell” Heather, heather-bell or in the Gaelic “Fraoch a ’ bhadain”).

This plant tolerates the drier slopes. Blooms mid to late summer and grows 15-60 cm tall, with 4-8mm long needle-like leaves grouped in whorls of three. The common name comes from the bell shape of its flowers that are 4-7mm long and bloom primarily purple. It is the emblem badge of Clan McAlister.

Kingdom:  Plantae. Division: Magnoliophyta. Class: Magnoliopsida. Order: Ericales. Family: Ericaceae. Genus: Erica. Species: E. cinerea.

Binomial name: Erica cinerea.

Erica tetralix

(Cross-leaved heather, Ringe, or in the Gaelic, “Fraoch Frangach”).

Grows in more moist locations. As with most of the heathers, it thrives in acidy soil but is very adaptive and grows in places with poor mineral elements normal to plant growth.

Blooms between June and October.

It is the emblem badge of Clan MacDonald.

Kingdom:  Plantae. Division: Magnoliophyta. Class: Magnoliopsida. Order: Ericales. Family: Ericaceae. Genus: Erica. Species: E. tetralix.

Binomial name: Erica tetralix.

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