British NVC community H7

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NVC community H7 (Calluna vulgaris - Scilla verna heath) is one of the heath communities in the British National Vegetation Classification system. It is one of two communities categorised as maritime heaths.

It is a fairly widespread coastal community. There are five subcommunities.

Community composition[]

The following eleven constant species are found in this community:

  • Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
  • Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)
  • Sheep's Fescue (Festuca ovina)
  • Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus)
  • Common Cat's-ear (Hypochaeris radicata)
  • Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
  • Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
  • Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima)
  • Tormentil (Potentilla erecta)
  • Spring Squill (Scilla verna)
  • Wild Thyme (Thymus praecox)

The following rare species are associated with the community:

  • Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
  • Purple Milk-vetch (Astragalus danicus)
  • Cornish Heath (Erica vagans)
  • (Euphorbia portlandica)
  • Hairy Greenweed (Genista pilosa)
  • (Herniaria ciliolata)
  • Land Quillwort (Isoetes histrix)
  • (Minuartia verna)
  • Scottish Primrose (Primula scotica)
  • Autumn Squill (Scilla autumnalis)
  • Spring Squill (Scilla verna)
  • Autumn Ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis)
  • (Trifolium bocconei)
  • Western Clover (Trifolium occidentale)

Distribution[]

This community is found all around the coasts of Scotland, western Wales, Devon and Cornwall.

Subcommunities[]

There are five subcommunities:

  • the Armeria maritima subcommunity
  • the Viola riviniana subcommunity
  • the Erica tetralix subcommunity
  • the Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum subcommunity
  • the Calluna vulgaris subcommunity

References[]

  • Rodwell, J. S. (1991) British Plant Communities Volume 2 - Mires and heaths ISBN 0-521-39165-2 (hardback), ISBN 0-521-62720-6 (paperback)
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