The prevailing colours in the Caledonian Forest change with the seasons, and the
purple hues of blossoming heather in August give way to the bright red of ripening berries and fruiting fungi
The leaves of blaeberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) turn red
or yellow in September, before being shed for the winter.
Cowberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) are evergreen, and their berries ripen to bright red in
September, while a few late flowers will bloom even in October.
September is the month when the berries of the rowan tree
(Sorbus aucuparia) turn bright red, attracting birds which eat them and disperse their seeds.
In good years for fungi, fly agarics (Amanita muscaria) are abundant under birch
trees, which they grow in mycorrhizal association with.
This bright red-capped fungus (Russula emetica), known as the sickener, is also common in
the forest in September.
Red bog-moss (Sphagnum capillifolium) is red throughout the year, but its colour is often more intense in wet months like September, when there can be a lot of rain.
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