Long Lye Meadow

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.9015, -3.0435

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
ST267118 Unfavourable Recovering 3.24 2021-03-18

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Cretaceous, Jurassic · Rock Type: Greensand

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

SpeciesSeason
cuckoo Unknown

Description

Description This site is nationally important for its neutral grassland of the crested dog’s tail common knapweed community National Vegetation Classification MG5. General Description The site lies close to the Devon border on the Blackdown Hills on a west facing slope of the Yarty valley at an altitude of about 180m. The site straddles shales of the Jurassic Lower Lias and Upper Greensand of the Cretaceous period. These parent rocks have produced soils of the Hense series, which are coarse and loamy. The neutral grassland component varies in character and herb richness. sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, red fescue Festuca rubra, crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus and common bent Agrostis capillaris are abundant in the sward, other grasses include quaking grass Briza media. The herbaceous component is dominated by ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, black knapweed Centaurea nigra, cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata and meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris. Other herbs include pignut Conopodium majus, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor, meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis and more locally devil’s bit scabious Succisa pratensis and corky fruited water dropwort Oenanthe pimpinelloides, a plant with a distribution restricted to central southern England. There is a strong population of green winged orchid Anacamptis morio, together with a few plants of common twayblade Neottia ovata. In a few areas meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum occurs. Wetter areas are rush Juncus acutiflorus and J. effuses dominated with creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens and cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis. Other information Lowland Hay Meadows are on the list of Priority habitats of the UK Biodiversity Group.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
common bent Agrostis capillaris LC grass poaceae
sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum LC grass poaceae
quaking grass Briza media VU grass poaceae
crested dog's tail Cynosurus cristatus LC grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
green-winged orchid Anacamptis morio NT herb orchidaceae
cuckoo-flower Cardamine pratensis LC herb brassicaceae
black knapweed Centaurea nigra LC herb asteraceae
meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum EN herb asteraceae
pignut Conopodium majus LC herb apiaceae
cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata LC herb asteraceae
meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis LC herb fabaceae
oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare LC herb asteraceae
common twayblade Neottia ovata NT herb orchidaceae
corky-fruited water-dropwort Oenanthe pimpinelloides LC herb apiaceae
ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata LC herb plantaginaceae
meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris DD herb ranunculaceae
creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens LC herb ranunculaceae
yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor DD herb orobanchaceae
devils-bit scabious Succisa pratensis VU herb caprifoliaceae
sharp-flowered rush Juncus acutiflorus LC rush juncaceae

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.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Centaurea nigra
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lathyrus pratensis
Marsh moth
Athetis pallustris
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lathyrus pratensis
Heath fritillary
Melitaea athalia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Glanville fritillary
Melitaea cinxia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Plantago spp., Succisa pratensis
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Centaurea spp., Rhinanthus minor
Garden dart
Euxoa nigricans
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Festuca rubra
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Ranunculus spp.
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Plantago lanceolata
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Plantago spp.
Latticed heath
Chiasmia clathrata
Near Threatened Lathyrus pratensis
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Plantago spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Centaurea spp.
Scarce forester
Jordanita globulariae
Near Threatened Centaurea nigra
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp.

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

MG5 — Lowland meadow and pasture, Traditional orchard

Cynosurus cristatus-Centaurea nigra grassland

Matches 16 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Cardamine pratensis, Centaurea nigra, Conopodium majus, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Rhinanthus minor, Succisa pratensis

Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Juncus inflexus, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Crepis capillaris, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Knautia arvensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Colchicum autumnale, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago media, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Agrimonia eupatoria, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla vestita, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Potentilla reptans, Poterium sanguisorba, Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Chara curta

MG4 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture

Alopecurus pratensis-Sanguisorba officinalis grassland

Matches 15 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Cardamine pratensis, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Rhinanthus minor, Succisa pratensis

Carex acutiformis, Carex hirta, Carex panicea, Juncus articulatus, Juncus inflexus, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium elatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Heracleum sphondylium, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Equisetum arvense, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Vicia sepium, Fritillaria meleagris, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosa, Primula veris, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus bulbosus, Ranunculus repens, Thalictrum flavum, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla anglica, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium verum, Silaum silaus, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Briza media, Bromopsis erecta, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus arundinaceus, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens, Chara curta

MG8 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Lowland meadow and pasture

Cynosurus cristatus-Caltha palustris grassland

Matches 14 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Cardamine pratensis, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Juncus acutiflorus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Rhinanthus minor, Succisa pratensis

Carex demissa, Carex distans, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Eleocharis palustris, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus articulatus, Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Plagiomnium rostratum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Achillea ptarmica, Bellis perennis, Caltha palustris, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium palustre, Crepis paludosa, Leontodon hispidus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Senecio aquaticus, Taraxacum officianalis, Myosotis scorpioides, Cardamine pratensis, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana dioica, Cerastium fontanum, Silene flos-cuculi, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum palustre, Lotus corniculatus, Lotus pedunculatus, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Mentha aquatica, Euphrasia nemorosa, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Trollius europaeus, Alchemilla glabra, Alchemilla xanthochlora, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Sanguisorba officinalis, Galium palustre, Galium uliginosum, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Briza media, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Glyceria declinata, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Dryopteris expansa

MG6 — Coastal floodplain grazing marsh, Traditional orchard

Lolium perenne-Cynosurus cristatus grassland

Matches 12 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cardamine pratensis, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Rhinanthus minor

Juncus effusus, Luzula campestris, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Pimpinella saxifraga, Achillea millefolium, Bellis perennis, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Taraxacum officianalis, Cardamine pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Lathyrus pratensis, Medicago lupulina, Trifolium dubium, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Iris pseudacorus, Rhinanthus minor, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex acetosa, Rumex obtusifolius, Primula vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla anserina, Potentilla reptans, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Alopecurus pratensis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus hordeaceous, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Poa annua, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Schedonorus pratensis, Trisetum flavescens

W24 — Traditional orchard

Rubus fruticosus-Holcus lanatus underscrub

Matches 8 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Festuca rubra, Hypochaeris radicata, Lathyrus pratensis, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Solanum dulcamara, Brachythecium rutabulum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Anthriscus sylvestris, Chaerophyllum temulentum, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Achillea millefolium, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium palustre, Cirsium vulgare, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lapsana communis, Solidago virgaurea, Taraxacum officianalis, Alliaria petiolata, Cerastium fontanum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Equisetum arvense, Mercurialis perennis, Lathyrus pratensis, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Vicia sativa, Vicia sepium, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Stachys sylvatica, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium hirsutum, Epilobium montanum, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Rumex sanguineus, Primula vulgaris, Ficaria verna, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Filipendula ulmaria, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Cruciata laevipes, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anisantha sterilis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phalaris arundinacea, Phragmites australis, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Trisetum flavescens, Dryopteris filix-mas