Gaer House Woods
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Habitats
Description
Description The largest area of ancient semi-natural alder Alnus glutinosa woodland of this type in the county, situated alongside tributary streams of the River Monnow. Other abundant canopy species include ash Fraxinus excelsior and elm Ulmus glabra. Understorey species include hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, holly Ilex aquifolium, goat-willow Salix caprea and hazel Corylus avellana which is co-dominant with alder in some areas. The ground flora is characteristic of this plateau type alder woodland with meadow-sweet Filipendula ulmaria, opposite-leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium and wood-sorrel Oxalis acetosella.
Species mentioned
Show the 10 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| opposite-leaved golden- saxifrage | Chrysosplenium oppositifolium | LC | herb | saxifragaceae |
| meadow sweet | Filipendula ulmaria | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| wood sorrel | Oxalis acetosella | LC | herb | oxalidaceae |
| hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| alder | Alnus glutinosa | LC | tree | salicaceae |
| hazel | Corylus avellana | LC | tree | corylaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
| holly | Ilex aquifolium | LC | tree | aquifoliaceae |
| wych elm | Ulmus glabra | LC | tree | ulmaceae |
| goat willow | Salix caprea | LC | tree shrub | salicaceae |
Plant communities
A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream
Potamogeton natans community
Show 20 indicator speciesSchoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa
A14 — Fast flowing river and stream
Myriophyllum alterniflorum community
Show 15 indicator speciesIsolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina
A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community
Show 11 indicator speciesBerula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans
A18 — Fast flowing river and stream
Ranunculus fluitans community
Show 12 indicator speciesFontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea