heather

Low evergreen shrub (Calluna vulgaris) of the heath family, widespread in western Europe and Asia, North America, and Greenland. It is the chief vegetation on many wastelands of northern and western Europe. C. vulgaris is distinguished from true heaths, which are sometimes loosely called heather, by the lobes of its calyx (see flower), which conceal the petals; in true heaths the petals cover the calyx. Scotch heather has purple stems, close-leaved green shoots, and feathery spikes of bell-shaped flowers. It has various economic uses: large stems are made into brooms, shorter ones are tied into bundles that serve as brushes, and long trailing shoots are woven into baskets.

Learn more about heather with a free trial on Britannica.com.

It is due west of the town of Ibstock in the district of North West Leicestershire.

Famous for its Scarecrow and Music Festivals held usually around July/August, it was once the home to a number of brick works. It is located next to the Sence Valley Country Park that was excavated as an open-cast coal mine.

See also

• Heather Saint Johns F.C.

External links