New Inn Meadow

Also within

Herefordshire County Malvern Hills Scenic Area

Condition (Natural England)

Description

Description New Inn Meadow is a very good example of a rich hay meadow arising from a long continuity of management for hay with aftermath grazing. Hay meadows such as this were once common in Worcestershire but have now become extremely scarce there owing to changes in agricultural practice. The dominant grasses are meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and red fescue Festuca rubra. The rich flora includes cowslip Primula veris, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, meadow pea Lathyrus pratensis, pepper saxifrage Silaum silaus and black medick Medicago lupulina all of which are abundant. Both green winged orchid Anacamptis morio and fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea are found in the meadow, the latter being scarce in this part of the county. There are one or two wetter areas in the lower part of the meadow, where meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria and soft rush Juncus effusus occur, adding to the floristic interest.

Species mentioned