1.
Calluna vulgaris
(Linnaeus) Hull, Brit. Fl. ed. 2. 114. 1808.
Erica vulgaris
Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 352. 1753
Shrubs
15-60(-100) cm.
Leaves
widely spaced on leading shoots, closely spaced and imbricate on later shoots; blade oblong-lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 2.5-3.5 × 0.5-0.7 mm, base auriculate-clasping, surfaces glabrous, keeled abaxially, concave adaxially.
Pedicels:
bracteoles 6-8 (4 distalmost simulating sepals).
Flowers:
sepals exceeding corolla, pinkish purple to white, petaloid, 3-4 mm; corolla pinkish purple to white, lobes 2(-3) mm; filaments glabrous; anthers 1 mm.
Capsules
1-2 mm, hairy.
Seeds
0.5-0.7 × 0.2-0.3 mm.
2
n
= 16.
Flowering late spring-summer. Wet acidic sites in bogs and fens, upland sites in old pastures and roadsides; 0-1500 m; introduced; St. Pierre and Miquelon; B.C., N.B., Nfld. and Labr. (Nfld.), N.S.; Conn., Mass., Mich., N.J., N.C., R.I., Vt., W.Va.; Europe; w Asia.
Calluna vulgaris
is well known as a constituent of moorlands in northern and western Europe, especially northern England, Ireland, and Scotland. The places where it is naturalized in North America are mostly coastal; inland it often is associated with railroads.