Plant Life

Heathlands are characterised by poor, acidic soils and low vegetation, with a predominance of rough grasses, gorse and heather. The gradual development of this habitat over the years has created an environment rich in biodiversity, and many unique plant species thrive in this wild and largely untouched environment.

The wet and boggier areas of particular interest to botanists with a range of unusual plants such as pale butterwort, bog pimpernel and the insectivorous sundew (insect-eating) which uses its sticky hair covered leaves to attract its prey enabling it to draw its nutrients from them, allowing the plant to live in poor conditions.

The heathland also supports a diverse range of floral species including the bee-like structure of of the Bee Orchid. This species is thought to have evolved as a means to dupe amorous male bees into pollinating the flower, but is now largely self-pollinating.