Clarke's Pool Meadow

Also within

Gloucestershire County

Condition (Natural England)

Description

Description Clarke's Pool Meadow is situated in west Gloucestershire, one kilometre to the south of the village of Blakeney. The meadow lies on level ground overlying the Lower Old Red Sandstones, which give rise to either neutral or slightly acidic soils. It is divided into two unequal parts by tall, species rich hedges but the whole site is managed as one unit. The special interest of this site lies in the diversity of the semi natural grassland sward which has been maintained under traditional management by hay cutting and light grazing and is of a type which is nationally scarce and further declining largely through agricultural intensification. The vegetation conforms with the meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis sub community of the mesotrophic neutral grassland type characterised by common knapweed Centaurea nigra and crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus. The most frequent species of grass are common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatas, quaking grass Briza mediand red fescue Festuca rubra. A diverse range of herbs are found in the sward, including common bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, cowslip Primula veris, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, fairy flax Linum catharticum, burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, pignut Conopodium majus and devil's bit scabious Succisa pratensis. Towards the edges of the fields species which are more characteristic of woodland occur, including frequent bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta and dog's mercury Mercurialis perennis. Locally uncommon species frequent in the sward include green winged orchid Anacamptis morio, twayblade Neottia ovata, adder's tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum and meadow saffron Colchicum autumnale.

Species mentioned