Synonymy

Callunetum ar enosum Tansley 1911 p.p.; Calluna-Ulex-Erica heath Fritsch & Parker 1913, Fritsch & Salisbury 1915, Haines 1926; Callunetum arenicolum Tansley 1939 p.p.; Dry heath assemblage Newbould 1960; Dry heath Harrison 1970 p.p.; Calluna-Ulex minor heaths Gimingham 1972 p.p.

Constant species

Calluna vulgaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Erica cinerea, Ulex minor.

Rare species

Agrostis curtisii, Genista pilosa.

Physiognomy

The Calluna vulgaris-Ulex minor heath is generally dominated by Calluna vulgaris, though with both Erica cinerea and Ulex minor playing a very frequent and sometimes prominent role in the sub-shrub canopy and together providing an important floristic distinction from the more continental heath vegetation of much of East Anglia. The canopy is very variable in height, from 1 to 8 dm or more, and, as always where Calluna is an important species, its structure can be much affected by the growth phases of the heather plants, and whether the individuals in a particular stand are of even or uneven age. Where burning still occurs, as in parts of the New Forest, tracts of the community can show the characteristic patchwork of swales with the heather in various stages of recovery from pioneer through to building, though generally not beyond if burning is being judiciously practised to maximise grazing value. But, often now, burning has ceased or is accidental and sporadic and grazing not pursued, so many stands have a cover of very leggy Calluna.

Recovery of the vegetation after degeneration of the heather, or after an episode of burning, can also see marked changes in the proportions of the two other common sub-shrubs. E. cinerea is a prolific seeder and, particularly where patches of mineral soil have been exposed, as after fires, it can outstrip Calluna at first, even when most of its original plants have been destroyed (Fritsch & Salisbury 1915, Gimingham 1949, 1972). Calluna generally comes to dominate eventually, but E. cinerea can retain a co-dominant role, particularly perhaps on drier soils on slopes facing south or south-west (Fritsch & Parker 1913, Fritsch & Salisbury 1915), and it can tolerate some shade from heather (Bannister 1965). In some stands, however, its cover is very low and it can be totally absent, especially where there is a tendency for the soils to experience some seasonal waterlogging, as in the Molinia subcommunity.