Loch Freuchie Meadows

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 56.5100, -3.8303

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Also within

Perth and Kinross County

Condition (NatureScot)

Unfavourable Declining (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Lowland neutral grassland Unfavourable Declining — 2024-08-16

Habitats

Carr, Northern hay meadow

Description

Loch Freuchie Meadows Loch Freuchie Meadows is located at the south east end of Loch Freuchie, in Glen Quaich, 2.5km west of Amulree. The site is of special importance for its lowland neutral grassland. The site formerly consisted mainly of grassland known as northern hay meadow, a rare type of lowland neutral grassland maintained by traditional hay management. Although this vegetation type remains in small areas, much of the site has changed to a more common type of wet neutral grassland, dominated by meadowsweet, because of management changes in recent years. It is one of the few remaining areas of northern hay meadow in Scotland and is particularly notable for the presence of tall herb species such as globe flower Trollius europaeus and wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum with frequent angelica Angelica sylvestris and valerian Valeriana officinalis. Spignel Meum athamanticum a nationally scarce species occurs, and the locally unusual species bay willow Salix pentandra is found on the loch shore and in a small area of willow carr.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
wild angelica Angelica sylvestris LC herb apiaceae
wood cranesbill Geranium sylvaticum LC herb geraniaceae
spignel Meum athamanticum LC herb apiaceae
globe flower Trollius europaeus VU herb ranunculaceae
common valerian Valeriana officinalis LC herb caprifoliaceae
bay willow Salix pentandra LC tree shrub salicaceae

Plant communities

MG3 — Northern hay meadow

Anthoxanthum odoratum-Geranium sylvaticum grassland

Carex caryophyllea, Carex panicea, Luzula campestris, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium cuspidatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Anthriscus sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium heterophyllum, Crepis paludosa, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis discolor, Cardamine pratensis, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria media agg., Equisetum arvense, Lathyrus montanus, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium medium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium sylvaticum, Ajuga reptans, Thymus praecox, Orchis mascula, Euphrasia nemorosa, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla acutiloba, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla glomerulans, Alchemilla monticola, Alchemilla subcrenata, Alchemilla vestita, Alchemilla wichurae, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Saxifraga granulata, Viola lutea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens