Bog-heather (Erica tetralix, Sp. Pl.: 353 (1753))

Family: Ericaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 353 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Erica

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. & W. Europe

Description

Bog-heather, scientifically known as Erica tetralix, is a captivating plant belonging to the Ericaceae family. Its enchanting presence is predominantly observed in the northern and western regions of Europe, where it thrives in the moist, acidic soils of bogs and heathlands.

A perennial evergreen shrub, Bog-heather is notable for its fine, needle-like leaves, which are often tinged with a soft, silvery hue. These leaves are arranged in whorls around the stem, creating a delicate, feathery appearance that adds to the plant’s allure. During the blooming season, Erica tetralix graces its habitat with clusters of small, urn-shaped flowers that range in color from pale pink to vibrant pink. These blooms typically appear from late spring to early autumn, contributing bursts of color to the damp, often desolate landscapes where the plant is found.

The ecological significance of Bog-heather cannot be overstated, as it forms a crucial component of its native ecosystems. It provides not only ornamental beauty but also essential food and habitat for a variety of wildlife, including insects and birds. Its preference for wet, peaty soils makes it an important indicator species for healthy bog and heathland ecosystems.

First categorized and described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, Bog-heather’s scientific credentials are well-established. Its historical and botanical significance, as noted in Linnaeus’ work Species Plantarum, underscores the enduring interest in this charming plant across both scientific and horticultural communities.

In summary, Erica tetralix, or Bog-heather, is a remarkable plant that enhances the biodiversity and visual appeal of the environments it inhabits. Its elegant foliage and delicate flowers exemplify the resilience and beauty of the natural world in northern and western Europe.

Common Names

Eng: crossleaf heath, bog-heather, cross-leaf heath, cross-leaved heath, moor heath
Deu: glocken-heide, glocken-schneeheide, glockenheide, moor-glockenheide
Dan: klokkelyng
Fra: bruyère quaternée, bruyère à quatre angles, bruyère des marais
Nld: gewone dophei
Lav: grinu sartene
Swe: klockljung, nummikellokanerva, vanlig klockljung
Nno: klokkelyng
Nob: klokkelyng
Fin: nummikellokanerva
Sme: biellodaŋas
Cym: grug croesddail, grug croesddeiliog, grug deilgroes
En: Bog-heather, Cross-leaf heath, Moor heath, Crossleaf heath, Cross-leaved Heath, Bog Heather
Eu: Txilar lauhosto
Ca: Bruc d’aiguamoll
Zh: 貝爾石南花
Kw: Grug krowsdhel
Cs: Vřesovec ladní, Vřesovec čtyřřadý
Da: Klokke-Lyng, Klokkelyng
Nl: Gewone dophei, Gewone dopheide
Et: Soo-eerika
Fi: Kellokanerva, Nummikellokanerva
Fr: Bruyère des marais, Bruyère quaternée, Bruyère tétragone, Bruyère à quatre angles, Carminet, Clarin
Gl: Carroucha das brañas
De: Gemeine Glockenheide, Doppheide, Echte Glockenheide, Forchheide, Frühlingsheide, Glocken-Heide, Glockenheide, Moor-Glockenheide, Suerheid, Sumpfheide, Torfheide, Glocken-Schneeheide, Moor-Heide, Moorheide, Vierlingsheide
Is: Haustlyng
Ga: Fraoch naoscaí
It: Erica a quattro angoli, Scopa macchiaiola
Lv: Grinu sartene
Lt: Tyrulinė erika
Se: Biellodaŋas
No: Klokkelyng, Poselyng
Nb: Klokkelyng
Nn: Klokkelyng
Pl: Wrzosiec bagienny
Pt-br: Urze
Ru: Эрика четырёхмерная
Sk: Vresovec štvorradový, Vresovec štvorradý
Es: Berecebo, Berecillo de las escobas, Berecillo, Berezo de humedad, Berezo de laguna, Berezo de los trampales, Berezo, Brecino, Brezo de bonal, Brezo de las turberas, Brezo de turbera, Brezo en cruz, Brezo tomillar, Brezo, Carpazo, Carroncha, Escoba de berecillo, Escoba de brecina, Escoba de monte, Escoba de trampal, Escobón, Mogaliza, Mogariza, Queiriño setembrino
Sv: Klockljung, Nummikellokanerva, Vanlig klockljung
Cy: Grug croesddail, Grug deilgroes, Grug Croesddeiliog

Synonyms

• Erica glomerata (Salisb.)
• Erica tetralix f. mollis ((Bean) Rehder)
• Erica tetralix f. alba ((Aiton) Braun-Blanq.)
• Ericoides tetralix ((L.) Kuntze)
• Erica tetralix var. alba (Aiton)
• Erica tetralix var. rubra (G.Sinclair)
• Erica martinesii (Lag. ex Benth.)
• Erica tetralix f. rubra ((Sinclair) Braun-Blanq.)
• Erica tetralix subsp. lawsoniana (Macfarl.)
• Erica tetralix var. verinensis (Pau ex Merino)
• Erica tetralix var. assoana (Pau)
• Erica botuliformis (Salisb.)
• Erica tetralix var. assoi (Pau)
• Erica tetralix var. mollis (Bean)
• Tetralix septentrionalis (E.Mey.)
• Erica tetralix var. canescens (Regel)
• Erica tetralix var. fuscescens (Merino)
• Erica tetralix var. glabrescens (Willk.)
• Erica tetralix var. glandulosa (Lange)
• Eremocallis glomerata (Gray)
• Erica tetralix var. lawsoniana ((Macfarl.) Bean)
• Erica tetralix var. parviflora (Chevall.)
• Erica tetralix var. martinesii (Benth.)
• Erica tetralix var. anandra (Coss. & Germ.)

Distribution

• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Denmark (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Aug 2, 2019 by Clara Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Léo TETREL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2022 by Chris Groesser (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Paul Innes (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Lüdtke Allen Scott (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 17, 2021 by Julien Verholle (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 3, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Michel POURCHET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 22, 1885 by Tela Botanica − Anne-Marie GRIMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jm LAUNAY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Michel JAFFREZIC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Jozien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 3, 2020 by Meßner Markus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 2, 2019 by Emmanuel Gimenez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2020 by Frida lindblom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by Ureña Marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Oct 10, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jm LAUNAY (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5333412)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:329737-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Erica tetralix L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Subshrub, Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 4.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 6

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 2