Three Dykes

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.1040, -0.7718

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North Yorkshire County

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SE804682 — Favourable 0.64 2009-07-18

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone

Description

Description Three Dykes comprises a small ancient earthwork of parallel ridges and hollows supporting a species rich Jurassic Limestone grassland flora. The close grazed turf contains sheep's fescue Festuca ovina, crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus, crested hair grass Koeleria macrantha, hairy oat Avenula pubescens, quaking grass Briza media and carnation grass Carex flacca. Many lime lving plants (calcicoles) occur, including felwort Gentianella amarella, carline thistle Carlina vulgaris and rock rose Helianthemum nummularium. This is one of few Yorkshire 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.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
downy oat grass Avenula pubescens LC grass poaceae
quaking grass Briza media VU grass poaceae
crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus LC grass poaceae
sheep's fescue Festuca ovina LC grass poaceae
crested hair-grass Koeleria macrantha NT grass poaceae
squinancywort Asperula cynanchica VU herb rubiaceae
purple milk vetch Astragalus danicus EN herb fabaceae
carline thistle Carlina vulgaris LC herb asteraceae
autumn gentian Gentianella amarella LC herb gentianaceae
rock roses Helianthemum nummularium VU herb cistaceae
horseshoe vetch Hippocrepis comosa VU herb fabaceae
glaucus sedge Carex flacca LC sedge cyperaceae