Image to followAI-generated illustrationEmpetrum nigrum
Empetrum nigrum
FamilyGenus: Empetrumnative in Germany
🌿
7
Species
interact
🔗
17
Interactions
documented
🐛
5
Host relationships
Species
About this species
Empetrum nigrum is a native, low-growing evergreen shrub of acidic heathlands and moorlands in Great Britain, flowering in April and bearing needle-like leaves.
Ecological network
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PollinationLarval hostFlower visit
Ecological significance
As a native dwarf shrub, Empetrum nigrum contributes to the structure of upland heath and moorland habitats on acidic, nutrient-poor ground.
Annual cycle
An evergreen shrub; flowering occurs in April.
Standort & Merkmale
Light
Sonne
Moisture
Frisch (Mäßig feucht)
Soil
Schwachzehrer (Magerer Boden)
Flowering period
Apr – Apr
Soil reaction
Sauer (Säurezeiger)
Bioregion
Continental
Growth form
Strauch
Woodiness
Verholzt
Leaf type
Nadelblättrig
Leaf phenology
Immergrün
Plant height
0.213 m
Morphological traits: TRY ID3 (CC BY 3.0) & TRY ID81 (CC BY)
Pflege & Anbau
**Light:** Full sun.
**Soil:** Acidic, nutrient-poor, moist but well-drained.
**Watering:** Maintain even moisture; avoid waterlogging.
**Hardiness:** Extremely cold-tolerant, suited to exposed, alpine or northern conditions.
**Fertilising:** No fertiliser required; thrives in lean soils.
Scientific profile
Empetrum nigrum is a dwarf woody shrub of the heather family (Ericaceae), typically reaching about 20 cm in height. Its evergreen, needle-like leaves give it a characteristically fine texture. It is native in Great Britain, where it is a component of upland heath and moorland communities. The plant favours full sun and cold, exposed sites, growing best in acidic, nutrient-poor soils with moderate moisture but good drainage. Flowering occurs in April.
Pollinators & visitors
1 Arten interagieren mit dieser Pflanze
Apis mellifera
Host relationships
5 species use this plant as a host
Other flower visitors
1 other species visit the flowers
Diptera indet. "lille flue"
Sources & data origin
•Cook et al. (2025) UK Butterfly & Moth Traits (DOI: 10.5285/dbc7cc17-cbbd-49dd-bab4-8e8855768d66)
•pollinator_interactions
•FloraWeb / BfN
•EIVE 1.0 — Dengler et al. (2023), DOI: 10.3897/VCS.98324 (CC BY 4.0)
•GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — GBIF Secretariat (2024), DOI: 10.15468/39omei (CC BY 4.0)
•TRY Categorical Traits (ID3) — Kattge et al. (2012), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.3 (CC BY 3.0)
•TRY Global Spectrum (ID81) — Díaz et al. (2016/2021), DOI: 10.17871/TRY.81 (CC BY)
•Govaerts R et al. (2025) — World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) v14. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. DOI: 10.34885/xs7h-ze42 (CC BY 4.0)
All data is licensed under CC BY 4.0, CC0, or compatible terms. Attribution according to license conditions. Full source overview →