Calluna vulgaris.......................Back

Heather or ling is characteristic of the later stages of dune development on non-calcereous sands. It produces large numbers of wind dispersed seeds which require light for growth and so tend to colonise open areas. The seeds remain viable for years and so may germinate when a gap in the canopy (of marram grass, say) occurs. The roots are associated with a fungus (Phoma sp) which helps the plant absorb nitrogen on the nitrogen-poor acid soil. (Fungi do better in acid soils, bacteria do worse). It has very small leaves to reduce water loss and controls the opening of its stomata using the degree of turgor of the whole plant.