Heathland plants

cotton grass by dr d tantram

Dry heaths that are dominated by common heather (sometimes called ling) often have a fairly small range of plants. However dry grassy heaths are often more varied, and can be home to uncommon plants such as the smooth cat’s-ear which is nationally scarce, and the Deptford pink. Wetter heaths and mires in Surrey support rich assemblies of plants including cotton grass, and important communities of mosses, liverworts and lichens.

A substantial part of Surrey's heathland and mires has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the European Habitats Directive. This reflects its international importance.

nail fungus by dr d tantram

Fungi

Fungi are abundant on lowland heathland, as there are different conditions to suit a range of often specialised species. In late summer and autumn, increasing numbers of people visit heaths to collect edible fungi. Over-collecting may threaten the long-term future of some species on heathland. As well as the larger fungi, many species of microfungi are found on heaths.

Some uncommon species are found on bare peat soils, or soils which have been burned recently. A large cap fungi (Anthracobia subatra) that was found on a burnt area at Witley Common was new to the British Isles. Nationally rare nail fungus (Poronia punctata) has been found on heathland in Surrey and is associated with pony dung.