Arthog Hall Woods

Also within

Gwynedd County Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Habitats

Bracken scrub

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine

Description

Description A biological site, Arthog Hall Woods is selected as an example of a bryophyte-rich woodland with several rare and uncommon species. The wood is north facing with a deep wooded ravine providing an ideal microclimate for the growth of bryophytes and ferns. Sessile oak Quercus petraea and downy birch Betula pubescens are the main canopy tree species with smaller amounts of ash Fraxinus excelsior, beech Fagus sylvatica and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus. Rare and uncommon bryophytes include Jamesoniella autumnalis, Adelanthus decipiens, Lepidozia cupressina, Fissidens celticus and Riccardia palmata. Ferns include the regionally rare hay scented fern Dryopteris aemula, both species of filmy fern Hymenophyllum tunbrigense and Hymenophyllum wilsonii, soft shield fern Polystichum setiferum and beech fern Phegopteris connectilis as well as abundant broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata. The uncommon orchid, lesser tway blade Neottia cordata is present along with wood fescue Festuca altissima. The site has a subspecies of wood stitchwort Stellaria nemorum subsp. glochidisperma, a very rare British endemic flowering plant. The uncommon touch-me-not Impatiens nolitangere has also been recorded in areas with a richer soil. The majority of the woodland has an open character with an incomplete tree canopy in places and a ground flora of grasses, bracken Pteridium aquilinum and bluebells Hyacinthoides non-scripta. Several exotic species are present including rhododendron and young saplings of turkey oak Quercus cerris. Remarks: Within the Snowdonia National Park.

Species mentioned

Plant communities