Caeau Lotwen

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.7819, -4.0577

Also within

Dyfed County

Description

Description In Britain unimproved grasslands containing an abundance of the umbelliferous plant, whorled caraway Carum verticillatum, appear to be concentrated on the Carmarthen Coalfield and its environs.These grasslands vary from wet species-rich types to dry, heathy examples with a somewhat restricted flora. The grassland at this site is intermediate between these two extremes, the soil conditions tending towards the dry side. The fields are usually used as pasture, but some are cut for hay on occasions. The principal grasses are bents Agrostis spp., sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus, and because of the drier conditions, sedges are scarce. Noteworthy herbs occurring in the sward are heath-spotted orchid Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. ericetorum, meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum and ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
whorled caraway Carum verticillatum Not listed in GB list herb apiaceae
meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum EN herb asteraceae
heath spotted orchid Dactylorhiza maculata subsp. ericetorum Not listed in GB list herb orchidaceae
ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi LC herb carophyllaceae