Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath

A small, downy, sprawling heather with leaves arranged in whorls of four. The attractive flowers are rose pink on most plants but pale-pink and white-flowered morphs are found occasionally. It is a plant of acidic, low nutrient, peaty areas on wet heathland, bogs and occasionally wet areas in woodland. It is widespread in the west and north of Britain but it has disappeared from many areas as a result of habitat loss. Forestry in Wales has probably resulted in major losses of suitable habitat but it survives in the remnants of pre-plantation habitats in coniferised areas and it is still widespread in much of the region. It is found throughout West Glamorgan and is common in suitable habitats such as the wet heathland, bogs and marshy grasslands of the Gower Commons and the South Wales Coalfield.

Native