flora scotland flora scotland native plant species including plants nearly total number species low world standard abundant form population global importance populations rare exist impact 19th century collectors threatened existence species flora generally typical north west european prominent features scottish flora include forest reduced natural extent heather coastal addition native varieties plants numerous non native introductions believed species country variety important trees species specimens grand fir tallest tree united_kingdom oldest tree europe ear endemic flowering plants variety endemic conservation natural environment developed organisations play important role country flora numerous references country flora appear folklore song poetry habitats scotland enjoys diversity temperate incorporating deciduous coniferous woodlands freshwater oceanic landscapes approximately scotland wooded forestry plantations prior human clearing larger areas broad forest reduced significant remnants native scots pine woodlands found places scotland covered heather largest intact areas blanket world supporting distinctive wildlife community scotland land classed agricultural including urban areas accounting total number islands terrestrial vegetation nearly lying west coast scotland volume total surface area fresh water united_kingdom freshwater river systems tree line zones climax forest birch dominates west north scots pine birch oak eastern highlands oak birch borders scottish coastline consists fertile pasture land formed sea levels subsided ice age received considerable ecological attention chiefly unique ecosystems flowering plants shrubs total number species low world standards partly effects pleistocene eliminated nearly species subsequent creation north_sea created barrier nonetheless variety important species heather containing cross heath generally abundant contains smaller flowering species cliffs mountains host diversity arctic alpine plants including islands west coast grow locations exposed sea spray include sea sea pink landscapes include rare species numerous common species bird foot scots recorded common plants coasts aquatic species common plants pools yellow widespread generated botanical controversy discovery classification distribution found growing 18th century subsequent confusion correct scientific agreed european range plant confined scotland western ireland small number species common north_america restricted europe examples rigid grasses grasses common systems grass locally abundant mountain tops total number species large recorded single road smooth meadow grass meadow grass widespread damp lowland conditions woodlands early hair grass damp conditions species found including commonly introduced species familiar site land discovered time head endemic species endemic plant found recorded botanist reported sites 19th century currently grows hills island scottish endemic north coast including closely related arctic species young rare endemic principally found created coal mining industry classified endangered species endemic island identified rare species scotland flowering plant species extremely restricted ranges country include found slopes recorded mainland locations contain rare species plans protect intermediate found introduced nationally rare species include norwegian dark red iceland invasive plants number non native invasive species identified threat native biodiversity including announced japan feed introduced bring plant control time alien species britain way scientists believe cause environmental damage grazing caused large numbers sheep resulted habitats loss native woodland deciduous trees thirty species deciduous tree native scotland including birch cherry species located perth planted autumn husband metres miles length reaches metres height noted tallest longest earth species unique cut endangered tree species world rarity measured numbers recorded mature trees trees developed highly complex fashion involving found nearby produce new species announced specimens new hybrid discovered researchers tree cross native shakespeare makes reference camouflage army battle ancient tree oak standing metres centre time battle years ago remains legend research possible commercial use undertaken commencing orange processed jams hardy species grows exposed west coasts conifers scots pine coniferous trees definitely native scotland possible contender ancient tree churchyard village estimates age years recent research tree ages suggests likely nearer lower limit years makes oldest tree europe older norway spruce root system sweden metres planted 1870s named tallest tree tallest trees found scotland grows near recorded metres grove grand fir blair castle measured metres highest scottish big dark stranger located near reaches metres height considered tallest tree britain survey undertaken named fir highest survey concluded near came height standing metres common areas woods shaded locations wooded open areas common variety highlands form newman lady var endemic scotland found thought extinct scotland discovered form scotland populations edge natural ranges distribution confined angus north wales angus north wales locations england plants identified separate species came severe threat victorian collectors mid 19th century discovered sea cave rare context distribution confined scotland recent research suggests variant species right non plants scotland provides ideal growing conditions species damp climate absence lengthy winters protracted hard addition country diverse geology numerous exposed rocky deep damp coupled relatively pollution free atmosphere enables diversity species exist unique marked contrast relative native plants species moss scotland european represented scotland flora globally important small country host world species earth land area similar size south_carolina mountains north west highlands host unique community called northern mat dominated variety rare scotland played important development understanding pioneers sir commencing end eighteenth century named discovered plant growing near edinburgh species discovered country common harvested commercially use hanging medical purposes wood moss abundant natives endemic species include scottish thread moss small stands moss abundance moss population found site england west coast rich oceanic ben range provides habitats rare species tongue european endemic occurring european sites outside scotland classified critically endangered numerous common nationally scarce species commonly found oak woods western scotland discovered site species named scottish botanist northern endemic found nature reserve high provide sites variety unusual including european distribution confined sites scarce scotland example having found abundant european species represented european land area rock surfaces exposed places kept constantly wet sea fresh water grown common species branches large trees important habitat particularly conspicuous past widely clothing endemic species found woodlands west coast sites highlands british ranges species confined include nationally rare species found conservation conservation natural environment developed united_kingdom public sector organisations important role country flora statutory body responsible natural heritage management scotland duties establish national nature reserves review carried year resulted significant number sites losing status scotland serves forestry department country largest landowners statutory adviser government international nature conservation country national parks includes largest area arctic mountain landscape sites designated importance natural heritage land area thirds europe wide importance includes britain largest body freshwater mountains sea numerous charitable voluntary organisations important role play prominent include following scotland conservation charity protects promotes scotland natural cultural heritage members largest conservation charity scotland promotes conservation birds wildlife protection creation habitats charity main role guardian wild land wildlife ownership land promotion education conservation trust owns manages estates locations including isle trees life charity aims restore wild forest auspices march total sites scotland covering area km2 submitted government candidate special areas conservation prohibits plants landowner permission collection threatened species listed schedule scottish government published code practice non native species help people understand responsibilities provide guidance public body responsibility habitats involved flora scottish culture plants feature heavily scottish folklore song poetry national emblem scots nation reign silver coins issued today forms emblem legend invading army attempted sneak night scots foreign soldier scots cried pain scots presence sources suggest specific occasion marked beginning departure viking monarch norway coast years plants appear forts time story relates episode likely culmination event time variants invading english story time numerous plants referred scottish song verse include red red rose drunk man looks love 21st century played lyrics include reference scottish known non common trees held important place culture earliest times particularly large trees valuable oak apple classed nobles important classed lower orders slaves alphabet learned tree names regularly planted close highland houses protection plants said qualities notably long ago period tradition recently taken
Flora of Scotland