Pentwyn Farm Grasslands, Penallt

Also within

Gwent County WYE VALLEY (Wales) Scenic Area

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Sandstone

Description

Description Pentwyn Farm Grasslands are situated on the edge of the Penallt village, 4 km south-east of Monmouth. The grasslands lie at an altitude of 120-200 m and have varying aspects (the majority of the site slopes moderately to the south but two of the fields face north and south-east respectively). The underlying geology is Lower Red Sandstone and the soils are classified as brown earths of the Milford and Eardiston I associations. This site supports one of the largest areas of a traditionally managed, unimproved neutral grassland in Gwent, of a community type that is declining in the British Isles. The majority of the site supports grassland of the common knapweed-crested dog’s-tail Centaurea nigra – Cynosurus cristatus, and meadow vetchling sub-community Lathyrus pratensis. The species composition is similar throughout the site with key indicator species, common knapweed, crested dog’s-tail and red clover Trifolium pratense all frequent but with common bird’s-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus rather patchily distributed. The most frequent grasses are common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, red fescue Festuca rubra with crested dog’s-tail Cynosurus cristatus and cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata common at low cover. The site also supports one of the two largest populations of green-winged orchid Anacamptis morio in Gwent, a species which is becoming uncommon in the county, as well as nationally. Remarks: The site lies within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Species mentioned