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This
large neglected common comprises extensive tracts of acidic scrub, with acidic
grassland confined to pathways and tracks where
the dominant vegetation is excluded by trampling. Secondary woodland occurs on sloping
land at the southern periphery, and a hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) hedgerow
to the north. |
| Yorkshire fog (Holkus lanatus) currently forming the ground
flora. Dense stands of rosebay willowherb and creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) form scattered patches on the
western side where regeneration after previous burning has not been successful. Unimproved
acidic grassland is now very limited in area. Common bent (Agrostis capillaris). wavy hair-grass (Deschampsia flexuosa). sweet vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) and Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) are dominant with only
occasional herbaceous species such as sheep’s sorrel, heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile) yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) present. Drier or more
heavily rabbit grazed patches also include early hair-grass (Aira praecox) and bryophytes. while nettles (Urttica dioica) and hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) are present in a ranker
sward towards the peripheries. |
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Occasional
areas of neutral to basic grassland are also present, presumably where underlying chalk approaches
the surface. Here the sward includes yellow oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens). lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum) and mouse-ear hawkweed (Pilosella officinarum).
On a steeply
sloping area along the southern boundary secondary woodland comprising sycamore (Acer pseudoplatannus), ash (Fraxinus
excelsior), silver birch (Betula pendula) and
elm (Ulmus sp.) has developed. Similar woodland
is also found between the double hawthorn hedge along the northern boundary, with the
addition of beech (Fagus svlvatica) and lime (Tilia sp.).
A large,
disturbed sand pit is present in the south and this supports a sparse cover of common
stork’s-bill (Erodium cicutarium) and
buck’s-horn plantain (Plantago coronopus), with
taller herbs occurring in less disturbed areas, including viper’s bugloss (Echium vulgare) and white campion (Silene alba).
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