Heather in Polissia
Calluna vulgaris
Heather is a low evergreen dwarf shrub with tiny scale-like leaves densely covering the branches. At the end of summer the twigs are covered with dense spikes of small lilac-pink flowers.
Heather grows on poor sandy soils: in dry pine forests, on burnt areas, clearings, sandy heaths and the edges of raised bogs. In Polissia it is very widespread, especially in the pine forests of Rivne, Zhytomyr and Kyiv regions.
When in flower, heather is an important honey plant. Heather honey is dark and thick, with a tart flavour. The flowers stay on the plant for a long time, even after drying.
Heather pine forests are dry and easily catch fire. Do not light fires in the forest outside designated places: dry litter flares up very quickly.
When to see: flowers in August–September
Where it was seen in Polissia
Observations from the open scientific database GBIF since 1990.
More in “Plants”
White water lily
The white water lily, with large flowers among floating leaves, adorns the lakes and oxbows of Polissia.
Common hawthorn
A thorny shrub of Polissia's forest edges and hedgerows with white flowers in spring and red fruit in autumn.
Sosnowsky's hogweed
An invasive giant plant whose sap causes severe burns in sunlight; it is spreading in Polissia along roads and rivers.
Common juniper
A coniferous shrub of Polissia's pine forests with prickly needles and blue “berries” (berry-like cones).