Earl's Croome Meadow
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SO861419 | — | Favourable | 1.2 | 2012-06-14 |
Description
Description Earl’s Croome Meadow is a traditionally managed hay meadow lying on neutral soils overlying the Lower Lias in South Worcestershire. Traces of ridge and furrow are evident over much of the site. It has been selected as a species rich neutral grassland which is particularly important for the large number of green winged orchids Anacamptis morio which are present. They occur herein greater numbers than at any other site in Worcestershire. The grassland is dominated by grasses such as meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus, red fescue Festuca rubra and sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum. The upper slopes of the meadow, particularly on the tops of the 'ridge and furrow', are very diverse with quaking grass Briza media and hoary plantain Plantago media commonly occurring, as well as adders tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum. An unusual feature of this meadow is the presence of betony Betonica officinalis as a common component of the sward.
Species mentioned
Show the 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| adders-tongue fern | Ophioglossum vulgatum | LC | fern | ophioglossaceae |
| meadow foxtail | Alopecurus pratensis | LC | grass | poaceae |
| sweet vernal grass | Anthoxanthum odoratum | LC | grass | poaceae |
| quaking grass | Briza media | VU | grass | poaceae |
| red fescue | Festuca rubra | LC | grass | poaceae |
| Yorkshire fog | Holcus lanatus | LC | grass | poaceae |
| green-winged orchid | Anacamptis morio | NT | herb | orchidaceae |
| betony | Betonica officinalis | VU | herb | lamiaceae |
| hoary plantain | Plantago media | LC | herb | plantaginaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp. |
| Garden dart Euxoa nigricans |
Vulnerable | Plantago spp. |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca rubra |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Plantago spp. |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Plantago spp. |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Betonica officinalis |
| Wall Lasiommata megera |
Near Threatened | Holcus lanatus |
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.