Learn how to recognise and understand the heather family (Ericaceae) of UK moorlands in this beginner-friendly introduction to one of our most characteristic upland plant groups.
This webinar will guide you through how these different fruit types develop, helping you understand the processes that shape them. By linking fruit structures to their floral origins, you’ll gain a clearer picture of how such diversity arises within a single plant family.
Moorlands are often dominated by members of the Ericaceae, whose distinctive forms and growth habits help define these open landscapes.
This webinar will introduce you to the most commonly encountered species, helping you become familiar with where they grow and the key features that distinguish them. By exploring how these plants are adapted to acidic, nutrient-poor conditions, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of their role in shaping moorland ecosystems.
What you’ll learn
By exploring a selection of characteristic moorland species, we will focus on their main features, typical habitats, and how to confidently recognise them. The session will emphasise clear, practical examples to support beginners getting started with upland botany.
This webinar will cover:
- A brief introduction to the Ericaceae and their importance in moorland habitats
- Common UK species, including heathers, bilberry, and related plants
- Key features used to recognise different species (flower shape, leaf structure, growth form)
- Where to find these plants across moorland habitats
Tutor: Richard Thompson
Richard has worked as an ecologist and wildlife guide across the Northern UK for the past 8 years. He is currently part of the team at the Hepple Wilds rewilding project in Northumberland and one of his real passions is mycology (the study of fungi). Since 2019 he has been hugely engrossed in the world of mushrooms and more recently has been focusing in on grassland species, such as waxcaps.
