Llwyn y Coed
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Habitats
Description
Description A small grazed sessile oakwood of the Teucrium scorodonia – Quercus/Betula (wood sage-oak/birch) type situated on a steep rocky north-east facing slope. The principle interest of the wood is its Atlantic flora which includes both British species of filmy ferns (Hymenophyllum wilsonii and H tunbrigense and an abundance of oceanic mosses, liverworts and lichens. It is one of the most important woodland sites in North Gwynedd for its woodland Atlantic bryophyte flora which includes the mosses, Grimmia hartmanii and Hyphen callichroun, and the liverworts, Adelanthus decipiens, Aphanolejeunea microscopica, Drepanolejeunea hamatifolia and Jubula hutchinsiae. The continuity of a broadleaved tree cover on this ancient woodland site has helped this flora to survive. The woodland canopy is dominated by oak Quercus petraea with occasional birch Betula sp. whilst the understorey is characterised by hazel Corylus avellana and mountain ash Sorbus aucuparia. The acidic ground flora is dominated by more widespread bryophytes such as Dicranum scoparium, Mnium hornum, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiothecium undulatum and Rhytidiadelphus loreus. Herb species are rare, however, except along the streamlines. The climbers, ivy Hedera helix and honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, are locally abundant on the trees.