This is a deciduous shrub of low to medium height which has light green oval leaves.
It forms a dense carpet on woodland floors and heath banks. In spring they produce small compact pink bell-shaped flowers, which may be solitary or in pairs. In the mid summer they produce an edible purple-bloomed black berry, with red juice. The leaves turn to shades of red and yellow in autumn, before dropping off. In winter the shrub is not so visible without its leaves.
Most easily identifiable in spring which in flower or in mid-summer when in fruit.
It is a common under-shrub plant often found growing in open areas under trees, particularly Scots pine, also on acid heaths and moorland. Normally growing to heights between 200 – 600mm, it does grow taller on some of the islands on Loch Lomond.
This is an important food plant for woodland grouse species and is one of the most important food sources for newly hatched capercaillie, as they eat both the new growth of leaves and the winter moth caterpillars that are feeding on the leaves. Later in the season growing chicks also eat the edible berries.
Most easily identifiable in spring which in flower or in mid-summer when in fruit.
It is a common under-shrub plant often found growing in open areas under trees, particularly Scots pine, also on acid heaths and moorland. Normally growing to heights between 200 – 600mm, it does grow taller on some of the islands on Loch Lomond.
This is an important food plant for woodland grouse species and is one of the most important food sources for newly hatched capercaillie, as they eat both the new growth of leaves and the winter moth caterpillars that are feeding on the leaves. Later in the season growing chicks also eat the edible berries.
Most easily identifiable in spring which in flower or in mid-summer when in fruit.
It is a common under-shrub plant often found growing in open areas under trees, particularly Scots pine, also on acid heaths and moorland. Normally growing to heights between 200 – 600mm, it does grow taller on some of the islands on Loch Lomond.
This is an important food plant for woodland grouse species and is one of the most important food sources for newly hatched capercaillie, as they eat both the new growth of leaves and the winter moth caterpillars that are feeding on the leaves. Later in the season growing chicks also eat the edible berries.