Plants of the South West
Notice the seasonal colour, texture, and life of the moors — from purple heather to tiny sundew jewels, fungi to golden bracken.
What's best right now
Spring (Mar–May)
Gorse flowers bright yellow. Fresh moorland growth. Catkins and early wildflowers appear.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Sundew gemstones glisten. Cotton grass fluffy white. Heather buds developing. Lush green moorland.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Heather blooms purple. Fungi fruit after rain. Bilberry colour. Golden bracken and rust tones.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mosses and lichens thrive. Bare structures reveal winter form. Evergreens stand out. Subtle colour in lichen and bark.
Featured Species
Meet the stars of the region.
Respect & Care for Moorland Plants
- •Do not pick rare plants — many moorland species are protected. Observe and photograph instead.
- •Avoid trampling bogs — stay on paths where possible. Sphagnum mosses and bog plants are fragile.
- •Never eat wild plants or fungi unless you are absolutely certain of identification. Many are poisonous.
- •Look closely, tread lightly — the smallest plants are often the most remarkable.