Family: Ericaceae
Common name: Cowberry
Scientific name: Vaccinium vitis-idaea
Date taken: 9/6/2024
Notes: Very common species in heathlands. Note the glandular dots and inconspicuous secondary veins on the underside of leaves. Not to be confused with bearberry, which has more conspicuous netted veins on the abaxial surface.
Family: Ericaceae
Common name: Crowberry
Scientific name: Empetrum nigrum
Date taken: 12/5/2024
Notes: Common in heathlands. Leaves strongly recurved and rolls into a tube, giving them a succulent-like appearance. Two subspecies reported in the UK. Ssp. nigrum (2n=26) are dioecious, rarely producing bisexual flowers. Ssp. hermaphroditum (2n=52) produces bisexual flowers and are found in higher elevations. The following population is found in montane habitats in central Scotland with some plants consistently producing hermaphroditic flowers, so they may belong to the latter subspecies.
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| Bisexual flowers |
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| Bisexual (left) and female (right) flowers |
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| Female flowers and recurved leaves |
Family: Ericaceae
Common name: Trailing Azalea
Scientific name: Kalmia procumbens
Date taken: 12/5/2024
Notes: Mat forming shrub in montane habitats. Prefers microhabitats with shallow soils and exposed rocks. Leaves opposite. A bit early for flowers but lucky to see one in bloom.
