Purple Bell Heather, Erica cinerea, Ericaceae bell-shaped, purple flower, Emlagh Bog, Kells, Co.Meath, Ireland

• Contributor: Carol Lee / Alamy Stock Photo
• Image ID: CTW2RJ
• File size: 51.5 MB (2.7 MB Compressed download)
• Releases: Model - no | Property - no
• Dimensions: 5208 x 3459 px | 44.1 x 29.3 cm | 17.4 x 11.5 inches | 300dpi
• Date taken: 30 August 2010
• Location: Emlagh Bog, Kells, County Meath, Ireland

More information

perennial subshrub with small pink bell-shaped drooping flowers borne in compact clusters at the ends of its shoots, and leaves in whorls of four (whence the name). The flowers appear between June and October, It is a low shrub growing to 15–60 centimetres (5.9–24 in) tall, with fine needle-like leaves 4–8 millimetres (0.16–0.31 in) long arranged in whorls of three. The flowers are bell-shaped, purple (rarely white), 4–7 millimetres (0.16–0.28 in) long, produced in mid to late summer. The flowers are dry, similar in texture to the strawflower.