Mappp.co - Allolee to Walltown

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Northumberland County NORTHUMBERLAND National Park Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail Pennine Way National Trail

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1) Unfavourable Recovering (1)

Unit	Feature	Condition	Area (ha)	Assessed
NY682666	—	Favourable	16.28	2010-08-03
NY690668	—	Unfavourable Recovering	18.06	2010-08-03

Habitats

Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Igneous Intrusion · Rock Type: Basalt, Limestone

Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous

Description

Area,1,10 00033.9 hectares 83.7 ac Description The site referred to as ‘Allolee to Walltown’ comprises a section of the prominent whin Sill escarpment along the rest of which runs Hadrian’s Wall. It is of interest for its unusually wide range of grassland types, together with uncommon plants associated with thin soils overlying the whin Sill. The whin Sill, which is restricted to Northumberland and Durham is composed of a basalt quartz dolerite which is less acidic than others of this type. When slabs of the whin Sill are exposed on the dip slopes, the crevices are colonised by plants which can tolerate the dry conditions which affect the thin, peaty soils in summer. The most notable of these is wild chives Allium schoenoprasum, a rare plant which in Northumberland is restricted to a few sites on the whin Sill. Other species associated with the thin soils include biting stonecrop Sedum acre, the uncommon hairy stonecrop S. villosum, wild thyme Thymus praecox and a variety of annuals including parsley piert Aphanes arvensis, common whitlow grass Erophila verna, early hair grass Aira praecox, annual knawel Scleranthus annuus, rue leaved saxifrage Saxifraga tridactylites and long stalked cranesbill Geranium columbinum. Most of the surrounding grassland is composed of red fescue Festuca rubra, common bent Agrostis capillaris, sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus and heath grass Danthonia decumbens. On the crags and north facing scarp slopes bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus and heather Calluna vulgaris occur, with fir clubmoss Huperzia selago and parsley fern Cryptogramma crispa. Scattered limestone outcrops occur on which grows green spleenwort Asplenium viride. The more calcareous areas support a herb rich grassland with meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis, quaking grass Briza media, dyer’s greenweed Genista tinctoria, common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, greater burnet Sanguisorba officinalis and salad burnet S. minor. On the dip slope east of Allolee, where the drainage is impeded, there occurs a most unusual species rich grassland dominated by purple moor grass Molinia caerulea associated with which are quaking grass, meadow oat grass, spring sedge Carex caryophyllea, glaucous sedge Carex flacca, tawny sedge Carex hostiana, flea sedge C. pulicaris, lady’s mantle Alchemilla filicaulis, lady’s bedstraw Galium verum, fairy flax Linum catharticum, cowslip Primula veris, devil’s bit scabious Succisa pratensis, greater burnet and wild thyme.

Species mentioned

Show the 33 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status

English name search for this in other sites	Latin name search with Google	IUCN / Red List	Type	Family
green spleenwort	Asplenium viride	LC	fern	aspleniaceae
parsley fern	Cryptogramma crispa	VU	fern	adiantaceae
common bent	Agrostis capillaris	LC	grass	poaceae
early hair grass	Aira praecox	VU	grass	poaceae
sweet vernal grass	Anthoxanthum odoratum	LC	grass	poaceae
parsley piert	Aphanes arvensis	LC	grass	rosaceae
meadow oat grass	Avenula pratensis	Not listed in GB list	grass	poaceae
quaking grass	Briza media	VU	grass	poaceae
crested dog's tail	Cynosurus cristatus	LC	grass	poaceae
heath grass	Danthonia decumbens	NT	grass	poaceae
red fescue	Festuca rubra	LC	grass	poaceae
purple moor grass	Molinia caerulea	LC	grass	poaceae
lady's mantle	Alchemilla filicaulis	VU	herb	rosaceae
wild chives	Allium schoenoprasum	LC	herb	liliaceae
Whitlow grasses	Erophila verna	LC	herb	brassicaceae
lady's bedstraw	Galium verum	LC	herb	rubiaceae
dyer's greenweed	Genista tinctoria	LC	herb	fabaceae
long stalked cranesbill	Geranium columbinum	VU	herb	geraniaceae
rock roses	Helianthemum nummularium	VU	herb	cistaceae
fairy flax	Linum catharticum	LC	herb	linaceae
cowslip	Primula veris	LC	herb	primulaceae
great burnet	Sanguisorba officinalis	LC	herb	rosaceae
rue leaved saxifrage	Saxifraga tridactylites	LC	herb	saxifragaceae
annual knawel	Scleranthus annuus	DD	herb	carophyllaceae
wall-pepper	Sedum acre	LC	herb	crassulaceae
devils-bit scabious	Succisa pratensis	VU	herb	caprifoliaceae
creeping thyme	Thymus praecox	Not listed in GB list	herb	lamiaceae
fir clubmoss	Huperzia selago	LC	moss club	lycopodiaceae
spring-sedge	Carex caryophyllea	NT	sedge	cyperaceae
glaucus sedge	Carex flacca	LC	sedge	cyperaceae
tawny sedge	Carex hostiana	LC	sedge	cyperaceae
billberry	Vaccinium myrtillus	LC	shrub	ericaceae
bell heather or ling	Calluna vulgaris	NT	shrub dwarf	ericaceae

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Species	Status	Via host-plant
Speckled footman Coscinia cribraria	Critically Endangered	Vaccinium myrtillus
Straw belle Aspitates gilvaria	Endangered	Linum catharticum
Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon	Endangered	Molinia caerulea
Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina	Endangered	Primula veris
Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima	Endangered	Calluna vulgaris
Least minor Photedes captiuncula	Endangered	Carex flacca
Northern brown Aricia artaxerxes	Vulnerable	Helianthemum nummularium
Broom moth Ceramica pisi	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus
Large heath Coenonympha tullia	Vulnerable	Molinia caerulea
Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria	Vulnerable	Vaccinium myrtillus
Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia	Vulnerable	Succisa pratensis
Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris, Galium spp., Helianthemum nummularium
White-line dart Euxoa tritici	Vulnerable	Galium verum
Grayling Hipparchia semele	Vulnerable	Aira praecox, Festuca rubra
Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii	Vulnerable	Galium spp.
True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris
Silver studded blue Plebejus argus	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris, Helianthemum nummularium
Lead belle Scotopteryx mucronata	Vulnerable	Genista tinctoria
The anomalous Stilbia anomala	Vulnerable	Molinia caerulea
Early moth Theria primaria	Vulnerable	Vaccinium myrtillus
Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi	Vulnerable	Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus
Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola	Near Threatened	Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus
Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis	Near Threatened	Vaccinium myrtillus
Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus	Near Threatened	Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Rosy marsh moth Coenophila subrosea	Near Threatened	Vaccinium myrtillus
Silver barred Deltote bankiana	Near Threatened	Molinia caerulea
Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria	Near Threatened	Calluna vulgaris
The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla	Near Threatened	Vaccinium myrtillus
Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa	Near Threatened	Calluna vulgaris, Galium spp.
Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria	Near Threatened	Calluna vulgaris
Silky wave Idaea dilutaria	Near Threatened	Helianthemum nummularium
Wall Lasiommata megera	Near Threatened	Agrostis spp.
Rosy minor Litoligia literosa	Near Threatened	Carex flacca
Red carpet Xanthorhoe decoloraria	Near Threatened	Alchemilla spp.
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata	Near Threatened	Galium spp.
Scotch burnet Zygaena exulans	Near Threatened	Vaccinium myrtillus

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities

M24 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Molinia caerulea-Cirsium dissectum fen-meadow

Matches 10 species from the description above: Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Calluna vulgaris, Carex hostiana, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca rubra, Galium verum, Linum catharticum, Molinia caerulea, Succisa pratensis

Show 89 indicator species

Salix cinerea, Salix repens, Alnus glutinosa, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Carex hostiana, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum subnitens, Angelica sylvestris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Leontodon saxatilis, Pulicaria dysenterica, Senecio aquaticus, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Drosera rotundifolia, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Vicia cracca, Hypericum tetrapterum, Hypericum undulatum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Linum catharticum, Lythrum salicaria, Narthecium ossifragum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza maculata, Epipactis palustris, Gymnadenia conopsea, Pedicularis sylvatica, Plantago lanceolata, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Anagallis tenella, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Galium verum, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis

M25 — Blanket bog, Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland acid grassland

Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire

Matches 8 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Calluna vulgaris, Carex flacca, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Succisa pratensis

Show 85 indicator species

Salix cinerea, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Schoenus nigricans, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Pohlia nutans, Calliergon giganteum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophozia ventricosa, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Serratula tinctoria, Cardamine pratensis, Lobelia urens, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Hypericum tetrapterum, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Menyanthes trifoliata, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Rumex acetosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Phragmites australis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Osmunda regalis

M26 — Limestone pavement, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Molinia caerulea-Crepis paludosa mire

Matches 8 species from the description above: Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Sanguisorba officinalis, Succisa pratensis

Show 63 indicator species

Carex appropinquata, Carex disticha, Carex echinata, Carex flacca, Carex hostiana, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus conglomeratus, Aulacomnium palustre, Plagiomnium undulatum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Campylium elodes, Climacium dendroides, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Leontodon hispidus, Serratula tinctoria, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Silene flos-cuculi, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Trifolium repens, Menyanthes trifoliata, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex acetosa, Primula farinosa, Primula vulgaris, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus auricomus, Trollius europaeus, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Potentilla erecta, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phragmites australis

M22 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland fen, Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Juncus subnodulosus-Cirsium palustre fen-meadow

Matches 7 species from the description above: Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Carex flacca, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Succisa pratensis

Show 115 indicator species

Salix cinerea, Solanum dulcamara, Carex acutiformis, Carex disticha, Carex elata, Carex flacca, Carex hirta, Carex lepidocarpa, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex rostrata, Cladium mariscus, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eleocharis palustris, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Juncus subnodulosus, Luzula multiflora, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium rostratum, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Cratoneuron filicinum, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Lophocolea bidentata, Angelica sylvestris, Berula erecta, Oenanthe lachenalii, Thyselium palustre, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium dissectum, Cirsium palustre, Eupatorium cannabinum, Pulicaria dysenterica, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Valeriana officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria palustris, Calystegia sepium, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Hypericum tetrapterum, Iris pseudacorus, Triglochin palustre, Ajuga reptans, Lycopus europaeus, Mentha aquatica, Lemna minor, Lythrum salicaria, Menyanthes trifoliata, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium palustre, Epilobium parviflorum, Dactylorhiza fuchsii, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Dactylorhiza praetermissa, Epipactis palustris, Pedicularis palustris, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Rumex acetosa, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex sanguineus, Lysimachia vulgaris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum flavum, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Scrophularia auriculata, Scutellaria galericulata, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Calamagrostis canescens, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Phragmites australis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Thelypteris palustris

M23 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Purple moor grass and rush pasture, Upland rush pasture

Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush-pasture

Matches 6 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Succisa pratensis

Show 81 indicator species

Carex demissa, Carex echinata, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus bulbosus, Juncus conglomeratus, Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Aulacomnium palustre, Brachythecium rivulare, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergon cordifolium, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, Calypogeia fissa, Lophocolea bidentata, Pellia epiphylla, Angelica sylvestris, Carum verticillatum, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Achillea ptarmica, Caltha palustris, Cirsium palustre, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis laxa, Myosotis secunda, Cardamine flexuosa, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Stellaria alsine, Stellaria graminea, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium repens, Iris pseudacorus, Mentha aquatica, Scutellaria minor, Lythrum salicaria, Narthecium ossifragum, Epilobium obscurum, Epilobium palustre, Dactylorhiza maculata, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica scutellata, Polygonum hydropiper, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus flammula, Ranunculus repens, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla erecta, Galium palustre, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Glyceria fluitans, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Dryopteris expansa, Athyrium filix-femina