Earl's Croome Meadow
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO861419 | — | Favourable | 1.2 | 2012-06-14 |
Description
Description Earl’s Croome Meadow is a traditionally managed hay meadow lying on neutral soils overlying the Lower Lias in South Worcestershire. Traces of ridge and furrow are evident over much of the site. It has been selected as a species rich neutral grassland which is particularly important for the large number of green winged orchids Anacamptis morio which are present. They occur herein greater numbers than at any other site in Worcestershire. The grassland is dominated by grasses such as meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, red fescue Festuca rubra and sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum. The upper slopes of the meadow, particularly on the tops of the 'ridge and furrow', are very diverse with quaking grass Briza media and hoary plantain Plantago media commonly occurring, as well as adders tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum. An unusual feature of this meadow is the presence of betony Betonica officinalis as a common component of the sward.
Species mentioned
Show the 9 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
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IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adders-tongue fern | Ophioglossum vulgatum | LC | fern | ophioglossaceae |
| meadow foxtail | Alopecurus pratensis | LC | grass | poaceae |
| sweet vernal grass | Anthoxanthum odoratum | LC | grass | poaceae |
| quaking grass | Briza media | VU | grass | poaceae |
| red fescue | Festuca rubra | LC | grass | poaceae |
| Yorkshire fog | Holcus lanatus | LC | grass | poaceae |
| green-winged orchid | Anacamptis morio | NT | herb | orchidaceae |
| betony | Betonica officinalis | VU | herb | lamiaceae |
| hoary plantain | Plantago media | LC | herb | plantaginaceae |