Cornish heath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cornish heath |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Erica (plant)
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| Species: |
vagans
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Cornish heath (also known as Erica vagans or wandering heath) is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the Ericaceae family, which includes many types of heaths and heathers. This plant naturally grows in places like Ireland, Cornwall (a part of England), western France, and Spain. It's a strong, spreading plant that stays green all year round. It can grow up to 75 centimeters (about 2.5 feet) tall and wide. In summer and autumn, it produces lovely pink flowers that grow in long clusters, about 14 centimeters (about 5.5 inches) long. The name vagans comes from Latin and means "wandering" or "widely distributed," which fits because it's found in many places.
Contents
What is Cornish Heath Like?
Cornish heath is a type of small, woody plant called a subshrub. It usually grows to be about 30 to 90 centimeters (1 to 3 feet) tall. Its small, thin leaves have pale undersides and edges that roll inwards. These leaves grow in groups of four or five around its thin, wiry stems.
The flowers grow in a thick, leafy spike. Each flower is round and has a long stalk. They are usually pink or lilac (a light purple color) and have brown stamens (the parts that hold pollen) that stick out. You can see Cornish heath blooming from July to September.
Where Does Cornish Heath Grow?
In Great Britain, you can only find Cornish heath growing naturally on the Lizard peninsula in southern Cornwall. The ground there is quite special because of its unusual rocks. This creates the acidic soil that Cornish heath loves to grow in.
In 2002, people voted for Cornish heath to be the official County flower of Cornwall. This vote was organized by a group called Plantlife, which works to protect wild plants. Many people in Cornwall think of it as their special flower symbol. There's even a story that says when Joseph of Arimathea first came to Cornwall, he slept on a bed of Cornish heather. He was so thankful that he blessed the plant, and it has been considered special ever since.
Growing Cornish Heath
Like most plants in the heath family, Cornish heath needs soil that is acidic or at least neutral to grow well. If your garden has alkaline (basic) soil, you can still grow Cornish heath! Just plant it in pots using a special soil mix called "ericaceous compost," which is made for acid-loving plants.
Gardeners have created many different types of Cornish heath, called cultivars. These varieties have flowers in different colors, including white, pink, light purple, and dark purple. Some of these special types have even won awards! The following varieties have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, which means they are excellent plants for gardens:
- E. vagans ‘Mrs D.F. Maxwell’
- E. vagans f. alba 'Cornish Cream' (This one has white flowers!)
- E. vagans f. alba 'Kevernensis Alba' (Another white-flowered type!)
- E. vagans f. alba 'Lyonnesse'
- E. vagans f. aureifolia 'Valerie Proudley' (This variety has golden leaves!)
Images for kids
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A mix of Cornish heath growing near Goonhilly Downs. You can see the Croft Pascoe forest in the background.
See also
In Spanish: Brezo para niños
