Ashby Canal

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.6568, -1.4611

Also within

Leicestershire County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable No Change (12)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SK342089 Unfavourable No Change 1.13 2010-01-14
SK343098 Unfavourable No Change 1.16 2010-01-14
SK344083 Unfavourable No Change 0.98 2010-01-14
SK349080 Unfavourable No Change 1.55 2010-01-14
SK358074 Unfavourable No Change 1.79 2010-01-14
SK368071 Unfavourable No Change 1.84 2010-01-14
SK371053 Unfavourable No Change 0.75 2010-01-14
SK373056 Unfavourable No Change 1.15 2010-01-14
SK374048 Unfavourable No Change 1.19 2010-01-14
SK375070 Unfavourable No Change 0.73 2010-01-14
SK377063 Unfavourable No Change 1.49 2010-01-14
SK384045 Unfavourable No Change 1.65 2010-01-14

Description

Area,24.9 hectares 61.5 ac Description The Ashby Canal supports communities of aquatic and emergent plants that are representative of eutrophic standing water bodies in the English lowlands. The diversity of aquatic plants and invertebrates makes this one of the most important water bodies of its type in the East Midlands. The submerged plant community is of particular interest. mare's tail Hippuris vulgaris, spiked water milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum and perfoliate pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus are locally abundant. Eight other species of pondweed have been recorded including grass wrack pondweed P. compressus and flat stalked pondweed Potamogeton friesii which are nationally uncommon. Where the canal bed is stony the scarce needle spike rush Eleocharis acicularis may be found. The floating plant community is also well developed. Yellow water lily Nuphar lutea, broad leaved pondweed P. natans, arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia and unbranched bur reed Sparganium emersum are all locally abundant. The emergent fringe is variously dominated by greater pond sedge Carex riparia, reed sweet grass Glyceria maxima and branched bur reed Sparganium erectum. Associated species include lesser water parsnip Berula erecta, flowering rush Butomus umbellatus, tubular water dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa, water dock Rumex hydrolapathum and skullcap Scutellaria galericulata. The Ashby Canal retains one of the richest invertebrate communities of eutrophic standing water still to be found in Leicestershire. Nine species of dragonfly have been recorded, including the locally scarce red eyed damselfly Erythromma najas. The water beetle fauna is diverse and it includes the nationally rare Haliplus mucronatus. The canal also supports populations of the native freshwater crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes and of the water shrew Neomys fodiens.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
beetle Haliplus mucronatus Not listed in GB list beetle water haliplidae
native freshwater crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes Not listed in GB list crustacean astacidae
red-eyed damselfly Erythromma najas LC damselflies coenagrionidae
reed sweet grass Glyceria maxima LC grass poaceae
lesser water parsnip Berula erecta LC herb apiaceae
flowering rush Butomus umbellatus LC herb butomaceae
mare's tail Hippuris vulgaris LC herb plantaginaceae
spiked water-milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum LC herb haloragaceae
water lillies Nuphar lutea LC herb nymphaeaceae
tubular water-dropwort Oenanthe fistulosa EN herb apiaceae
flat stalked pondweed Potamogeton friesii VU herb potamogetonaceae
perfoliate pondweed Potamogeton perfoliatus LC herb potamogetonaceae
water dock Rumex hydrolapathum NT herb polygonaceae
arrowhead Sagittaria sagittifolia NT herb alismataceae
skullcap Scutellaria galericulata LC herb scrophulariaceae
unbranched bur reed Sparganium emersum LC reed typhaceae
branched bur reed Sparganium erectum LC reed typhaceae
needle spike rush Eleocharis acicularis VU rush juncaceae
greater pond sedge Carex riparia LC sedge cyperaceae
water shrew Neomys fodiens LC shrew soricidae

Plant communities

A1 — Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal

Lemna gibba community

Drepanocladus fluitans, Apium nodiflorum, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrhiza, Wolffia arrhiza, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche stagnalis, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus sceleratus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Zannichellia palustris

A2 — Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal

Lemna minor community

Riccia fluitans, Ricciocarpos natans, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Apium nodiflorum, Berula erecta, Bidens tripartita, Callitriche brutia ssp. hamulata, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Callitriche stagnalis, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus peltatus

A3 — Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal

Spirodela polyrhiza-Hydrocharis morsus-ranae community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Ceratophyllum demersum, Elodea canadensis, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrhiza, Wolffia arrhiza, Callitriche platycarpa, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton crispus, Ranunculus circinatus, Zannichellia palustris, Glyceria fluitans, Azolla filiculoides

A5 — Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Ceratophyllum demersum community

Sparganium emersum, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Myosotis scorpioides, Nasturtium officinale, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Elodea nuttallii, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nuphar lutea, Callitriche stagnalis, Potamogeton coloratus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus circinatus, Azolla filiculoides

A8 — Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Nuphar lutea community

Eleocharis acicularis, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium emersum, Sparganium minimum, Fontinalis antipyretica, Riccia fluitans, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Apium nodiflorum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrhiza, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche hermaphroditica, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Hippuris vulgaris, Littorella uniflora, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton berchtoldii, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton obtusifolius, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton pusillus, Ranunculus circinatus, Ranunculus hederaceus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Zannichellia palustris, Glyceria declinata, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria notata, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A11 — Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton pectinatus-Myriophyllum spicatum community

Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium emersum, Fontinalis antipyretica, Luronium natans, Apium inundatum, Oenanthe aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Ceratophyllum demersum, Elatine hydropiper, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Elodea nuttallii, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Stratiotes aloides, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphoides peltata, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche hermaphroditica, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Hippuris vulgaris, Littorella uniflora, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton alpinus, Potamogeton berchtoldii, Potamogeton compressus, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton friesii, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton obtusifolius, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Potamogeton praelongus, Potamogeton pusillus, Potamogeton trichoides, Ranunculus baudotii, Ranunculus circinatus, Ranunculus omiophyllus, Ranunculus peltatus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Ruppia cirrhosa, Zannichellia palustris, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria notata, Chara spp., Chara subspinosa, Lamprothamnion papulosum, Nitella hyalina

A12 — Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton pectinatus community

Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Elodea nuttallii, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Groenlandia densa, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus peltatus, Ruppia maritima, Zannichellia palustris, Lamprothamnion papulosum

A15 — Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Elodea canadensis community

Sparganium emersum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Spirodela polyrhiza, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus circinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans, Glyceria fluitans

A19 — Chalk river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Ranunculus aquatilis community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Apium nodiflorum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna gibba, Lemna trisulca, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus aquatilis, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans

A20 — Chalk river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Pond ditch and canal

Ranunculus peltatus community

Sparganium erectum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Callitriche platycarpa, Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus circinatus, Ranunculus peltatus, Ranunculus sceleratus, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria notata

S3 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Carex paniculata swamp

Solanum dulcamara, Carex paniculata, Carex riparia, Sparganium erectum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Caltha palustris, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Equisetum fluviatile, Lotus pedunculatus, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Rumex acetosa, Rumex hydrolapathum, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Scutellaria galericulata, Urtica dioica, Viola palustris, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris dilatata, Athyrium filix-femina, Typha latifolia

S4 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake, Reedbed

Phragmites australis swamp and reed-beds

Salix cinerea, Atriplex portulacoides, Solanum dulcamara, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex acuta, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex otrubae, Carex panicea, Carex pseudocyperus, Carex riparia, Carex rostrata, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus effusus, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Juncus subnodulosus, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Leptodictyum riparium, Sphagnum fallax, Suaeda maritima, Angelica sylvestris, Apium graveolens, Berula erecta, Cicuta virosa, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe fistulosa, Oenanthe lachenalii, Sium latifolium, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene flos-cuculi, Atriplex hastata, Atriplex littoralis, Salicornia dolichostachya, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin maritimum, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Utricularia intermedia, Utricularia minor, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche stagnalis, Hippuris vulgaris, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Rumex crispus, Rumex hydrolapathum, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus lingua, Ranunculus sceleratus, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria maxima, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis, Puccinellia maritima, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia, Chara subspinosa

S5 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Glyceria maxima swamp

Solanum dulcamara, Carex acuta, Carex otrubae, Carex riparia, Juncus effusus, Sparganium erectum, Riccia fluitans, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Angelica sylvestris, Apium inundatum, Berula erecta, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Myosotis scorpioides, Nasturtium officinale, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Iris pseudacorus, Glechoma hederacea, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lythrum salicaria, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex crispus, Rumex hydrolapathum, Rumex obtusifolius, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Urtica dioica, Alopecurus pratensis, Glyceria maxima, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis

S6 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Carex riparia swamp

Solanum dulcamara, Carex acuta, Carex elata, Carex riparia, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus effusus, Sparganium erectum, Calliergon giganteum, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Nasturtium officinale, Valeriana officinalis, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Callitriche stagnalis, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex crispus, Rumex hydrolapathum, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Scutellaria galericulata, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis, Dryopteris dilatata, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia

S8 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Scirpus lacustris ssp. lacustris swamp

Solanum dulcamara, Carex canescens, Carex nigra, Carex rostrata, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Angelica sylvestris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Caltha palustris, Ceratophyllum demersum, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Iris pseudacorus, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Stachys palustris, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Spirodela polyrhiza, Utricularia minor, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Nuphar lutea, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium palustre, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum bistorta, Potamogeton lucens, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Ranunculus flammula, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium palustre, Solanum nigrum, Agrostis canina, Glyceria fluitans, Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia

S12 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Typha latifolia swamp

Solanum dulcamara, Carex rostrata, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Sparganium erectum, Calliergon cordifolium, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Acorus calamus, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Apium nodiflorum, Berula erecta, Cicuta virosa, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Caltha palustris, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Nasturtium officinale, Chenopodium album, Equisetum fluviatile, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Callitriche obtusangula, Callitriche stagnalis, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex crispus, Rumex hydrolapathum, Potamogeton polygonifolius, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Ranunculus sceleratus, Comarum palustre, Galium palustre, Urtica dioica, Agrostis canina, Agrostis stolonifera, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea, Typha latifolia

S13 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Typha angustifolia swamp

Solanum dulcamara, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Juncus effusus, Calliergon cordifolium, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Calystegia sepium, Elatine hydropiper, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Menyanthes trifoliata, Nymphaea alba, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche obtusangula, Littorella uniflora, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex hydrolapathum, Potamogeton natans, Potamogeton pectinatus, Lysimachia vulgaris, Ranunculus flammula, Agrostis stolonifera, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria maxima, Glyceria notata, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia

S14 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Sparganium erectum swamp

Solanum dulcamara, Carex acutiformis, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Sparganium erectum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Angelica sylvestris, Apium graveolens, Apium nodiflorum, Oenanthe crocata, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Hesperis matronalis, Nasturtium officinale, Butomus umbellatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Hydrocharis morsus-ranae, Iris pseudacorus, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Wolffia arrhiza, Lythrum salicaria, Nuphar lutea, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Persicaria maculosa, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex crispus, Groenlandia densa, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Galium palustre, Scutellaria galericulata, Urtica dioica, Agrostis canina, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia

S20 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Scirpus lacustris ssp. tabernaemontani swamp

Solanum dulcamara, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex otrubae, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Eleocharis palustris, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Apium graveolens, Oenanthe lachenalii, Cochlearia anglica, Atriplex hastata, Chenopodium rubrum, Triglochin maritimum, Rumex hydrolapathum, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus sceleratus, Potentilla anserina, Ruppia maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia

S21 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Scirpus maritimus swamp

Atriplex portulacoides, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex nigra, Carex otrubae, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Eleocharis palustris, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Amblystegium serpens, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Drepanocladus aduncus, Suaeda maritima, Apium graveolens, Berula erecta, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Aster tripolium, Caltha palustris, Cirsium arvense, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Salicornia dolichostachya, Calystegia sepium, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin maritimum, Mentha aquatica, Epilobium parviflorum, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Samolus valerandi, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus sceleratus, Potentilla anserina, Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Ruppia maritima, Viola palustris, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Glyceria maxima, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Spartina anglica

S28 — Lowland fen, Nutrient rich eutrophic lake

Phalaris arundinacea tall-herb fen

Solanum dulcamara, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus effusus, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Oenanthe crocata, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Myosotis scorpioides, Nasturtium officinale, Atriplex hastata, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Mentha aquatica, Epilobium hirsutum, Callitriche stagnalis, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Galium palustre, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elytrigia repens, Glyceria maxima, Holcus lanatus, Phalaris arundinacea, Poa trivialis, Puccinellia maritima, Typha angustifolia