Mappp.co geology and wildlife sites

Purbeck Ridge (West)

…ch sward. Abundant herbs include hoary plantain Plantago media, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, common milkwort Polygala vulgaris, rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, cowslip Primula veris, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, saw wort Serratula tinctoria and wild thyme Thymus …

Odstock Down

…acteristic of high quality chalk grassland are frequent such as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis. Nationally restricted species include the low growing bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum and the dimin…

King's Play Hill

…scabious Scabiosa columbaria, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and squinancywort Asperula cynanchica. Lesser butterfly orchid Platanthera bifolia, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea and early purple orchid Orchis mascula are also frequent. Spe…

Rew Down

…e populations of the rare early gentian Gentianella anglica and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. Grazed partsof the Down have a consistently richer chalk grassland turf which includes large populations of bee orchids Ophrys apifera, burnt tip orchids O. ustulata and early purp…

Kingdown and Middledown

…he small adjacent grassland area which are of interest include, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, betony Betonica officinalis, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris and small scabious Scabiosa columbaria. The ferns maidenhair spleenwort Asplenium t…

Morgan's Hill

…dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. Species of nationally restricted distribution are widespread, such as round headed rampion Phyteuma o…

Luffenham Heath Golf Course

…ch characteristic plants as small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus and rock rose Helianthemum nummularium. The site also contains small areas of acidic grass heath, characterised by the presence of heather Call…

Windsor Hill

…t Asperula cynanchica, chalk eyebright Euphrasia pseudokerneri, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, felwort Gentianella amarella and clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata. A further small area of chalk grassland dominated by wood false brome Brachypodium sylvaticum and glaucou…

Therfield Heath

… of species, including purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. The site also includes mixed scrub communities at various stages of development and two areas of mature beech woodland. The latter is best developed at Fox Covert, where the ground…

Nicodemus Heights

…, black medick Medicago lupulina and wild carrot Daucus carota. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa is locally frequent, and the Nationally Scarce slender tare Vicia parviflora is also present. The second type of unimproved grassland, which has a very restricted distribution natio…

Bredon Hill

…ilk vetch Astragalus danicus, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, hound’s tongue Cynoglossum officinale, bee orchid Ophrys apifera and adder’s tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum. Old quarry workings support a number of locally uncommon plants, inc…

Totternhoe Knolls

…and are abundant and include kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, large thyme Thymus pulegioides, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia and…

Upton Coombe

…hroughout salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, cowslip Primula veris, horse vetch Hippocrepis comosa, sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, common rose Helianthemum nummularium, lady’s bedstraw Galium verum, hoary plantain Plantago media, devil’s bit sc…

Upton Cow Down

…ncywort Asperula cynanchica, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea. This type of community is found over chalk throughout southern England and is particularly associated with Wiltshire. The sward is composed mai…

Inkpen and Walbury Hills

…ch are rare or absent in other parts of the site. These include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, dropwort and field scabious Knautia arvensis. Other species…

Whitesheet Hill

…nationally restricted Adonis blue, the food plant of which, the horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, is widespread on the down. Ant hills of the yellow meadow ant Lasius flavus are much in evidence. Other animal species also make use of the downland and scrub, especially birds s…

Silbury Hill

…ciated with more closely grazed turf are also present including horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, harebell Campanula rotundifolia, quaking grass Briza media and red fescue Festuca rubra. Other characteris…

Halling to Trottiscliffe Escarpment

…rt Polygala calcarea, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and several species of orchid including the scarce musk orchid Herminium monorchis and man orchid Orchis anthorpophora. This range of food plants and the warm conditions are ideal f…

Blandford Camp

…uality calcareous grassland occurring at Blandford Camp include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, large thyme Thymus pulegioides, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, kidney vetch Anthylis vulneraria, the local and declining basil thyme Clinopodium acinos and the nationally scarce…

Scout and Cunswick Scars

…se Helianthemum nummularium, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, wild thyme Thymus praecox, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, fairy flax Linum catharticum, mouse ear hawkweed Pilosella officinarum and the local lesser meadow rue Thalictrum minu…

Lydden and Temple Ewell Downs

…istic downland herbs such as squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea and autumn lady's tresses Spiranthes spiralis. A number of rarities also occur, most notably the early spider …

Isle of Portland

…atum. The shorter swards are frequently rich in herbs including horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, carline thistle Carlina acaulis, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramida…

Dank's Down and Truckle Hill

…management without ploughing, fertilisers or herbicides such as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, betony Betonica officinalis, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and clustered bellflower Campanula glomerat…

St. Catherine's Hill

…carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, felwort Gentianella amarella, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, fairy flax Linum catharticum, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, autumn lady's tresses Spiranthes spiralis and frog orchid Dactylorhiza vi…

Gallows Hill

…bious Scabiosa columbaria, rough hawkbit Leontodon hispidus and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa are other commonc onstituents of the well grazed sward. Also present are pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. A number of species occur t…

Stockbridge Down

…eadow fescue Schedonorus pratensis, is rich in herbs, including horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, stemless thistle Cirsium acaule, fairy flax Linum catharticum, mignonette Reseda lutea, thyme Thymus polytrichus, thyme leaved sandwort Arenaria …

Roundway Down and Covert

…erbs to flourish, including bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and lesser butterfly orchid Platanthera bifolia. In places a rich scrub community has developed which includes characteristic chalkland species such as wayfaring tree Viburnum lanta…

Clearbury Down

…m sanguisorba are frequent. Abundant cowslips Primula veris and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa give the down a yellow hue at varying times of the year. Noteworthy species which occur are field fleawort Senecio integrifolius and bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum. Large number…

Totternhoe Chalk Quarry

…lower Campanula glomerata, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, large thyme Thymus pulegioides, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, and bee orchid Ophrys apifera. Other notable species are cypress spurge …

Hackpen, Warren & Gramp's Hill Downs

…rectus on some middle and lower slopes. The herb flora includes horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea and frog orchid Dactylorhiza virid…

Quarry Hangers

…p's fescue Festuca rubra and Festuca ovina, with plants such as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus and wild thyme Thymus praecox. Where grazing is less intense, a taller sward is found, dominated by grasses such as upright brome Bromus erec…

Magpie Bottom

…Helianthemum nummularium, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. Seven orchid species occur in the grassland, particularly in the northern part of the site, among them the scarce man orchid Orchis anthorpophora. The Kentish milkwort is present i…

Valley of Stones

…ntian Gentianella amarella and hairy rock-cress Arabis hirsuta. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa is locally frequent. Grasses and sedges present in the calcareous sward include sheep’ s fescue Festuca ovina, meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis, quaking grass Briza media, crested…

White Horse Hill

…odium pinnatum is dominant yet the swards remain herb-rich with horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, stemless thistle Cirsium acaule and squinancywort Asperula cynanchica amongst the many abundant herbs. Rarer plants in these areas include the nationally scarce bastard-toadflax Th…

Draycott Sleights

…nthyllis vulneraria, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, early purple orchid Orchis mascula and greater butterfly orchid Platanthera chlorantha also occur. Flatter areas at the northern end of the…

Mottistone Down

…alad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, wild thyme Thymus praecox and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. The local bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum and rare early gentian Gentianella anglica also occur commonly. The flatter top of the down is capped with angular flint gravel of vary…

Ardley Cutting and Quarry

…ia. Other species which are locally common in the sward include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, glaucous sedge Carex flacca, blue fleabane Erigeron acris, bee orchid Ophrys apifera, green winged orchid Anacamptis morio and cowslip Primula ve…

Great Cheverell Hill

…ecorded, including the nationally scarce Adonis blue which uses horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa as its larval food plant, Duke of Burgundy, which lays its eggs on larger leaved plants of cowslip Primula veris and marsh fritillary, a butterfly whose range has contracted markedl…

Seven Barrows

… hawkbit Leontodon hispidus, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, cowslip Primula veris and harebell Campanula rotundifolia. Many of the plants which occur are typical of unimproved and traditionally man…

Coombe Hill

…d lime loving plants occur such as betony Betonica officinalis, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. A variety of orchid species are found here including pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, early purple orchid Orchis mascula and bee orc…

The Coombs, Hinton Parva

…frage Pimpinella saxifraga, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella and yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata. In areas of taller sward field scabious Knautia arvensis, common knapweed Centaurea nigra and greater kn…

Danebury Hill

…ssociations. The herb rich turf is notable for the abundance of horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum. Scarce species include burnt tip orchid Neotinea ustulata, field fleawort Senecio integrifolius and frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis.

Buttler's Hangings

…p Primula veris, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, horseshoe and kidney vetches Hippocrepis comosa and Anthyllis vulneraria and bee and pyramidal orchids Ophrys apifera and Anacamptis pyramidalis. Taller growing herbs which provide an important source of nectar include common and…

Wylye and Church Dean Downs

…f species indicative of long continuity of grazing, for example horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, saw wort Serratula tinctoria, frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis and the nationally scarce bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum, field fleawort Seneci…

Dancersend

…cywort Asperula cynanchica, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata and felwort Gentianella amarella as well as suspected hybrids between the latter and G. germanica. The pocket of grassland south of Bittams…

Throope Down

…llargus and the small blue Cupido minimus, whose larvae feed on horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria respectively, both species being widespread on the site. The marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia also occurs.

Upper Teesdale

…ing sedge C. ericetorum, alpine cinquefoil Potentilla crantzii, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, hoary whitlow grass Draba incana, alpine bistort Polygonum viviparum, dark red helleborine Epipactis atrorubens and the moss Rhytidium rugosum. The flushes have open plant communit…

Rotherley Downs

…lly scarce Adonis blue, both of which have larvae which feed on horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. Brown argus, a species with larvae which feed on rock rose Helianthemum nummularium and high brown fritillary which feeds on hairy violet Viola hirta have also been recorded. Moun…

Homington and Coombe Bissett Downs

…restricted Adonis blue are found where their larval food plant, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa grows in the well grazed turf. Ant hills produced by the yellow meadow ant Lasius flavus are occasional. The scrub is also valuable to birds although a full survey has not yet been …

Compton Down

…ora here is extremely species rich with an unusual abundance of horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and saw wort Serratula tinctoria. A number of orchids are also common including green winged Anacamptis morio, early purple O. mascula, bee Ophrys…

Fyfield Down

…ypical downland herbs such as chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis. Within the grassland occur many thousand sarsen stones, which are composed of sand particles cemented together to form a hard sandstone. …

Saltbox Hill

…, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, wild basil Clinopodium vulgare, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, marjoram Origanum vulgare and cowslip Primula veris. In addition the site is one of the last remaining examples of old grassland containing yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor in the co…

White Shute

…n rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, hairy violet Viola hirta, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga and chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea. Wild orchids recorded include common spotted Dactylorhiza fuchsii, southern marsh D. praetermissa and fr…

Honington Camp

…ch Anthyllis vulneraria, purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus, horse shoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and common bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus. In one area there is a well established colony of pasque flower Pulsatilla vulgaris which is only known from one other site in the…

Hackhurst and White Downs

…amptis pyramidalis are well represented. Rarer species include horse shoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, autumn lady's tresses Spiranthes spiralis, fly orchid Ophrys insectifera and the nationally uncommon burnt Neotinea ustulata and man Orchis anthorpophora orchids. Stands of scrub a…

Fontmell and Melbury Downs

…d Carex caryophyllea are abundant. The many chalk herbs include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and the very local early gentian Gentianella anglica and bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum. Orchids are well represented in these swards and inclu…

Scratchbury & Cotley Hills

…9 resident breeding species of butterfly recently recorded. The horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa is locally plentiful, supporting both the chalkhill blue Polyommatus coridon and Adonis blue Polyommatus bellargus butterflies. The Adonis blue colony is well established, having be…

Townsend

…a ovina and quaking-grass Briza media, there is an abundance of horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneria, yellow-wort Blackstonia perfoliata, yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor, rue-leaved saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites, and wild thyme Thymus polytrichus…

Beacon Hill, Warnford

…larium are typical dominants, with such characteristic herbs as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea and clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata. Rarer species present are rampion Phyteuma orbiculare, field f…

Bracknell Croft

…ba and dropwort Filipendula vulgaris are particularly abundant. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule and glaucous sedge Carex flaccare also widespread. Part of the site has been heavily grazed and has a very short sward dominated by red fescue Festuca …

Broughton Far Wood

…dropwort Filipendula vulgaris, wild basil Clinopodium vulgare, horse shoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and twayblade Neottia ovata. Heath sedge Carex ericetorum is also recorded. Part of the quarry has been planted with conifers and these now form a dense scrub with natural regrowth …

Holly Court Bank

…ous herbs present, including salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, wild thyme Thymus praecox, cowslip Primula veris, purging flax Linum catharticum, bee orchid Ophrys apifera and pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis. In the northern half the gr…

Westwell Gorse

…t Cruciata laevipes, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, cowslip Primula veris, wild thyme Thymus praecox and small scabious Scabiosa columbaria together with the uncommon purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus and chalk milkwort Polygala …

Ancaster Valley

…tianella campestris, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, saw wort Serratula tinctoria and wild thyme Thymus praecox. The pedunculate oak ash beech woodland on the eastern…

Cockey Down

…ola hirta are all more common in the northern part of the site. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and the nationally scarce field fleawort Senecio integrifolius grow here in impressive densities. Small amounts of bastard toadflax Thesium humifus…

Combe Bottom

…n gentian Gentianella amarella, wild basil Clinopodium vulgare, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba. Although the invertebrates at this site have been poorly studied it is known that the rare beetle Prionocyphon serricornis occurs here, as wel…

Park Wood, Chilham

…e Cirsium acaule, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. Many of the woodland shrub species are also present, together with spindle Euonymus europaeus, dogwood Cornus sanguinea and elder Sambucus nigra. broom Cytisus scoparius and traili…

Old Winchester Hill

…orbiculare in the country. This species is associated here with horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata and small scabious Scabiosa col…

Pincombe Down

…etonica officinalis and devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria are locally frequent while the more common herbs salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba and burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga are well distribut…

Purple Hill

…urnet Poterium sanguisorba, rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. In addition to the nationally rare Kentish milkwort Polygala austriaca other uncommon species of plants are also found including several orc…

Pitcombe Down

…sanguisorba. It is rich in attractive downland plants including horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, harebell Campanula rotundifolia, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, devil’s-bit Succisa pratensis and betony Betonica officinalis. Areas …

Salisbury Plain

… vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa are characteristic associates. The rare and notable plants which occur here include burnt orchid Neotinea ustulata, slender bedstraw Galium pumilum, field fleawort Senecio integrifo…

Giggleswick Scar and Kinsey Cave

…aw Galium sterneri, bloody crane's bill Geranium sanguineum and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. Other Information 1. During the 1990 revision the boundary has been amended by both extension and deletion and the name of the site changed from Giggleswick Scar and Caves. 2. Par…

Sutton Combe

…efoil Lotus corniculatus and salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba. horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and common rose Helianthemum nummularium are locally frequent here. Orchids are well represented on this site and include fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea and frog orchid Dactylo…

Folkington Reservoir

… milkwort Polygala calcarea, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and various orchids, pyramidal Anacamptis pyramidalis, bee Ophrys apifera, fragrant Gymnadenia conopsea and common spotted Dactylorhiza fuchsii. The dry and exposed bare chalk on to…

Winklebury Hill

… are also present. The larvae of both these butterflies feed on horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, a plant restricted to calcareous grassland.

Portsdown

…a, pale flax Linum bienne, meadow cranesbill Geranium pratense, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, bastard toadflax Thesium humifosum, early gentian Gentianella anglica, knapweed broomrape Orobanche elatior, bee orchid Ophrys apifera and fly orchid Ophrys insectifera. The insec…

Toyd Down and Quarry

…of dwarf sedge Carex humilis, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis, field fleawort Senecio integrifolius and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. A good range of old chalk turf pants is represented. 2. An aba…

Long Knoll

…flower Campanula glomerata, early purple orchid Orchis mascula, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea. Species present which are characteristic of the western chalk grasslands include heath grass Danthonia decu…

Pentridge Down

…us, squinancywort Asperula cyanchica, hairy violet Viola hirta, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. Less frequent are frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea, chalk milkwort P…

Court Farm, Sydling

… trefoil Lotus corniculatus, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and common rest-harrow Ononis repens. In certain areas there is an attractive plant community characteristic of damp chalk downs of West Dorset. This typically contains much devil's…

Bacombe and Coombe Hills

…escue Festuca ovina with characteristic downland plants such as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis and the nationally scarce chalk eyebright Euphrasia pseudokerneri. The uncommon moss Rhodobryum roseum o…

Burghclere Beacon

…flax Linum catharticum, bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and felwort Gentianella amarella and several species of orchids. There is a decidedly neutral element in the flo…

Folkestone to Etchinghill Escarpment

…erbs characteristic of unimproved grassland are present such as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica and small scabious Scabiosa columbaria. There is a thin scattering of shrubs, mainly hawthorn, along most of th…

Yarnbury Castle

…rf thistle Cirsium acaule, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa abundant. The smaller trailing herbs are represented by common thyme Thymus praecox, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica and common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium. Several plants …

Whitehorse Hill

…d thyme Thymus praecox, bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata, common milkwort Polygala vulgaris and glaucous sedge Carex flacca. The rare Chiltern gentian Gentianella germanica, a species confined to centra…

Purbeck Ridge (East)

…y and abundance of herbs such as wild thyme Thymus polytrichus, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and hoary plantain Plantago media. The endemic spring gentian Gentianella anglica1 is present on Ballard Down w…

Aston Clinton Ragpits

…ns Gentianella germanica and Gentianella amarella, horseshoe and kidney vetches Hippocrepis comosa and Anthyllis vulneraria, twayblade Neottia ovata and frog, bee, fly, fragrant, pyramidal, common spotted and greater and lesser butterfly orchids Dactylorhiza viridis, Ophrys apife…

Starveall and Stony Down

…rchid Gymnadenia conopsea, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia are among the many other flowering plants found on the downland and two additional species with limited national distributions, field fleawort Sen…

Treyford to Bepton Down

…out, with herbs such as round headed rampion Phyteuma orbiculare, horshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and carline thistle Carlina vulgaris. Several species of orchid are present including frog Dactylorhiza viridis, bee Ophrys apifera and musk orchids Herminium monorchis. Chalk bryo…

The Wye Valley

…er Hay Dale and the slopes east of Cowlow have locally abundant horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria. North facing slopes show a different range of species including limestone bedstraw Galium sterneri, a plant with a northerly distribution. Som…

Calstone and Cherhill Downs

…tensively grazed areas allow lower growing species, for example horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, to flourish. Among the several plant species of nationally restricted distribution occurring on the downland are field fleawort Senecio integri…

Mallerstang-Swaledale Head

…rass Cochlearia alpina, alpine cinquefoil Potentilla crantzii, horse shoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and burnet rose Rosa spinosissima. The majority of the land on Mallerstang common and in North Yorkshire supports a mixture of acidophilous vegetation developed on a variety of subs…

Hog's Hole

…ago media. Other species, of less frequent occurrence, include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus, hairy violet Viola hirta, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, musk thistle Carduus nutans, common…

Hollingbourne Downs

…d a number of typical downland herbs are present. These include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba and dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule. Less common plants which occur include chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and, in an old chalk pit, musk orchid a…

Ivinghoe Hills

…ian Gentianellaanglica. Other plants of the chalk flora include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis and…

Smardale Gill

…ry flax and the scarcer mountain everlasting Antennaria dioica, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. The rare bird's foot sedge Carex ornithopoda is also found. Other species are found in greater abundance along the railway embankments or cu…

Burcombe Down

…lflower Campanula glomerata, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium. Also present are devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and saw wort Serratula tinctoria, these bein…

Hook Norton Cutting & Banks

…bell Campanula rotundifolia, clustered bellflower C. glomerata, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, basil thyme Acinos arvensis, devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris and …

Moulsford Downs

…ovina, upright brome Bromus erectus, quaking grass Briza media, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata and chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea. The bare chalk areas and rabbit grazed patches have a distinct fl…

Chinnor Hill

…rt Blackstonia perfoliata, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis and bee orchid Ophrys apifera. Of particular note are candytuft Iberis …

Dancersend Waterworks

…bious Scabiosa columbaria, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata, horse shoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and stemless thistle Cirsium acaule. Other noteworthy species include adder's tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum and the clover parasite lesser broomrape Orobanche minor. The chalk …

Bowerchalke Downs

…lue. The Adonis blue is also found where its larval food plant, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa grows in favourable conditions. In Britain this butterfly is confined to a limited number of chalk and limestone grassland sites in the south. Birds typical of this habitat include…

Dover to Kingsdown Cliffs

…alad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, wild thyme Thymus praecox and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. A number of nationally rare plants occur. These include early spider orchid Ophrys sphegodes and ox tongue broomrape Orobanche picridis which are both at the northern extreme of a …

Swain's Wood

…p's fescue Festuca ovina, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. In shorter turf Chiltern gentian Gentianella germanica, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata, common centaury Centaurium erythraea, bee orchid Ophrys apifera and carline thistle Carl…

Broadway Hill

…ence of their food plants kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. The site is noted for a number of other butterflies including the marbled white Melanargia galatheaa.

Taynton Quarries

…ovina, dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, wild thyme Thymus praecox, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica and bee orchid Ophrys apifera. The most recent quarry was last worked extensively in 1939 and now demonstrates the earliest stages of succession o…

Far Arnside

…, wild thyme Thymus praecox, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and purging flax Linum catharticum. Associated grasses and sedges including quaking grass Briza media, …

Chalbury Hill and Quarry

…ants flourish. These include kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata and the uncommon hairy rock cress Arabis hirsuta. Species typical of the western chalk are locally abun…

Stockton Wood and Down

…milkwort Polygala calcarea, dyer's greenweed Genista tinctoria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and heath grass Danthonia decumbens. Several orchids are recorded from the site, among which are frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis, lesser butterfly orchid Platanthera bifolia and gr…

Cleeve Common

…frage Pimpinella saxifraga, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and carline thistle Carlina vulgaris. Several orchids occur in large numbers particularly bee orchid Ophrys apifera, frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis and the nationally restricted m…

Turville Hill

…pper Hesperia comma, a national rarity of Red Data Book status. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa is the food plant of the Adonis blue Polyommatus bellargus, another nationally rare butterfly in its sole Buckinghamshire locality at Turville, as well as the beautiful chalk hill b…

Orwell Clunch Pit

…ood range of herbs including kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, spiny rest-harrow Ononis spinosa and wild thyme Thymus praecox. The presence of many ant hills indicates that the grassland has been relatively undisturbed. Scattered scrub provide…

Ham Hill

…gala vulgaris and dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule. The less common horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and squinancywort Asperula cynanchica also occur, while both clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella are abundant. Orchids are exceptionally…

East Walton and Adcock's Common

…pwort Filipendula vulgaris, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, thyme Thymus pulegioides, felwort Gentianella amarella and the locally rare field gentian Gentianella campestris. In places the soils are deeper…

Kingston Escarpment & Iford Hill

…ch characteristic plants as squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, horse shoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, eyebright Euphrasia officinalis and salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba growing within a short sward dominated by sheep's fescue Festuca ovina and upr…

Queendown Warren

… milkwort Polygala calcarea, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and several species of orchids including the rare early spider orchid Ophrys sphegodes. Another rare plant present is meadow clary Salvia pratensis. The grassland is rich entomologi…

Ebsbury Down

…cabious Succisa pratensis. Herbs which occur frequently include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and hairy violet Viola hirta. Nationally restricted species present include dwarf sedge Carex humilis, bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum, field f…

Stinchcombe Hill

…sorba, cowslip Primula veris, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. A number of orchids are present including bee orchid Ophrys apifera and the nationally rare early spider orchid O. sphegodes. Scrub vegetat…

Watlington and Pyrton Hills

…opwort Filipendula vulgaris, together with large populations of horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and squinancywort Asperula cynanchica. The nationally rare candytuft Iberis amara, a plant which has its British distribution centred on the weste…

Prescombe Down

…um sanguisorba are common throughout, whereas others, including horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica and the scarce endemic early gentian Gentianella anglica are more restricted to the warm south facing s…

Coulters Dean

…South Downs. The flora includes remarkably large populations of horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, rampion Phyteuma orbiculare, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata and other species characteristic of ancient chalk grassland. At least 11 species of orchids occur. There is a …

Farthing Downs and Happy Valley

…e dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule, wild basil Clinopodium vulgare, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, field scabious Knautia arvensis, common milkwort Polygala vulgaris, sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia and hairy violet Viola hirta. These grasslands are also noted for their orchid fl…

Chilbolton Common

…s Scabiosa columbaria, lady’s bedstraw Galium verum and locally horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. To date 1986, over 265 species of flowering plant have been recorded on the Common, including large populations of such local species as marsh arrowgrass Triglochin palustris, bog …

L-moor, Shepreth

…The dryer grassland contains a range of calcicole herbs such as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and felwort Gentianella amarella. Cowslips Primula veris are particularly abundant. These dry areas grade into damp grassland dominated by Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and tufted ha…

Aston Upthorpe Downs

…thern England including the burnt tip orchid Neotinea ustulata, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, wild thyme Thymus praecox, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris and rock rose Helianthemum nummularium. A small population of the nationally rare pasque flower Pulsatilla vulgaris occurs …

Arreton Down

…ecies adapted to the chalk grassland environment. These include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, wild thyme Thymus praecox, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris, pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis, harebell Campanula rotundifolia and small …

East Polden Grasslands

…se Helianthemum nummularium, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and small scabious Scabiosa columbaria. A number of species of orchid also occur including, autumn ladies tresses Spiranthes spiralis, green winged orchid Anacamptis morio, bee orch…

Hartslock

…together with an unusual abundance of calcicolous herbs such as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, rock rose Helianthemum nummularium and dwarf thistle Cirsium acaule as well as a notable abundance of uncommon plants like bastard toadflax Thesium humifusum and chalk milkwort Pol…

Whitbarrow

…ina vulgaris and, growing very much towards its northern limit, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. In addition traveller's joy Clematis vitalba has recently been recorded from the steep eastern slopes of Yewbarrow, here at one of its northernmost stations. On the dip slopes of W…

Amberley Mount to Sullington Hill

…rare Adonis blue butterfly Polyommatus bellargus which feeds on horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa in its larval stages. Chantry Hill is the foremost district in Sussex for the light feathered rustic moth Agrotis cinerea and the juniper carpetmoth Thera juniperata has also been r…

Arlington Reservoir

… with a range of herbs including false fox sedge Carex otrubae, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica and common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii. Fertile, grazed, grassland east of the reservoir are valuable additional feeding grounds for birds. A…

Grangelands & Pulpit Hill

…ule and purging flax Linum catharticum, as well as horseshoe and kidney vetches Hippocrepis comosa and Anthyllis vulneraria, common centaury Centaurium erythraea, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata, basil thyme Acinos arvensis, wild candytuft Iberis amara, blue fleabane Erigeron …

Sheep's Banks

…m, occurring together with autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata and chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea. Five species of orchid have been recorded, including bee orchi…

Monknash Coast

…ium and occasional clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. The rare tuberous thistle Cirsium tuberosum occurs at several locations within the site. Two other nationally rare species, nit-grass Gastridium ventricosum and hoary stock Matthio…

Folkestone Warren

…present. These include early spider orchid Ophrys sphegodes and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, food plant of the larvae of the Adonis blue butterfly, which breeds within the site. The Gault and Lower Greensand cliffs at the western end of the site are unstable and sparsely v…

Great Asby Scar

… range of species includes autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa at its northern limit in Britain, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba ssp. minor, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, early purple orchid Orchis mascula and frog orchid Dactylo…

Cissbury Ring

…rms a compact turf in which kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, horse shoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and yarrow Achillea millefolium are abundant; other components in the sward include harebell Campanula rotundifolia, marjoram Origanum vulgare, field fleawort Senecio integrifolius,…

Newmarket Heath

…autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, wild thyme Thymus praecox, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus, sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria and lesser meadow rue Thalictrum minus. Of particular interest is the number…

Warren Bank

…h chalk grassland including rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and field scabious Knautia arvensis, together with more local species such as chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, pale toadflax Linaria repens and bee orchid Ophrys apifera. Autumn fe…

Lardon Chase

…orter and rabbit grazed and includes additional species such as horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria. This part of the site includes a belt of scattered hawthorn Crataegus monogyna scrub which provides sheltered warm areas with abundant insect …

Botley Down

…urf on the mid slope where chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa occur in quantity, with less frequent occurrence of squinancywort Asperula cynanchica clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata autumn gentian Gentianella amarella and carline thistl…

Wye and Crundale Downs

…he turf is rich in other typical downland plants. These include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, autumn gentian Gentianella amarella, cowslip Primula veris, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica and common milkwort Polygala vulgaris. Also present are several orchids including the …

Three Dykes

…kshire localities for squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, whilst horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus which occur here are rare in east Yorkshire. * Under Section 23 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

Shide Quarry

…iranthes spiralis and pyramidal orchids Anacamptis pyramidalis. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria are exceptionally abundant. A variable micro habitat is provided by the water rising at the foot of the east face and running along the norther…

Castle Hill

… functions. Herbs which occur commonly in the grassland include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, milkwort Polygala calcarea, scabious Scabiosa columbaria, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea, meadow oat grass A…

Monkswood Valley

…etony Betonica officinalis, harebell Campanula rotundifolia and horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa. The grassland to the south of the reservoir and river and also the remaining fields on the north side, are of a more mesotrophic nature. The common grass species are red fescue, s…

Hope's Nose to Wall's Hill

…ow oat Avenula pratensis and hairy oat Helicotrichon pubescens. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, wild thyme Thymus polytrichus, crow garlic Allium vineale, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris and yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor are locally abundant,…

Wormsley Chalk Banks

…cal species including clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, squinancywort Asperula cynanchica and the nationally rare chalk eyebright Euphrasia pseudokerneri, as well as early and Chiltern gentians Gentianella anglica and G. germanica, the …

Copper Hill

…um and quaking grass Briza media and associated herbs including horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, dropwort Filipendula vulgaris, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, spiny rest-harrow Ononis spinosa, purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus, purging flax Linum catharticum and…

Croker's Hole

…astard toadflax, chalk milkwort Polygala calcarea, horseshoe and kidney vetches Hippocrepis comosa and Anthyllis vulneraria, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata and dropwort Filipendula vulgaris. Greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa, lady's bedstraw Galium verum, hairy viole…

Figsbury Ring

…, glaucous sedge Carex flacca and sheep's fescue Festuca ovina. Horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and harebell Campanula rotundifolia are widespread while other chalk herbs, such as squinancywort Asperula cynanchica, small scabious Scabiosa columbaria and wild thyme Thymus praec…

Baverstock Juniper Bank

…Rhinanthus minor are frequent while less common species include horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa and pyramidal orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis. Rabbit grazing in some areas has resulted in patches of shorter turf where finer low growing chalk herbs survive, such as fairy flax Lin…

Pen y Gogarth / Great Ormes Head

…carce species are present, along with an isolated population of horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, here at its only site in North Wales and the rare, nationally endemic Welsh hawkweed, Hieracium cambrense. An assemblage of bryophytes and lichens including the nationally vulnerab…

Cheesefoot Head

… Gentianella anglica, clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea, frog orchid Dactylorhiza viridis and the southern marsh orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa, usually a wet meadow plant and occurring here in an a…

Lewes Downs

…ic herbs of chalk grassland. Salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata and sqinancywort Asperula cynanchica are widespread and in Caburn Bottom an exceptional quantity of marjoram Origanum vulgare occurs and is impor…

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