Ling Heather

Look out for ling heather in our peatlands – both raised bogs in the midlands and uplands throughout the country. It is a small shrub up to one metre tall and grows in drier areas, particularly dry heaths. Leafy shoots in opposite pairs on downy brown stems with overlapping leaves so close together they cover the stalk. Pale-purple flowers on flowering spikes provide nectar for heather honey. Our three native heathers are positive indicators in ACRES meaning higher scores and payments, showing how valuable our uplands are. Ling or calluna nó fraoch mór is part of our native Irish biodiversity.