Matley Moor Meadows

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 53.4043, -1.9656

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable Recovering (2)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
SK023897 Unfavourable Recovering 3.25 2023-10-24
SK024895 Unfavourable Recovering 3.25 2023-10-24

Description

Description Matley Moor Meadows SSSI is a nationally important site for its lowland unimproved neutral grassland, comprising the nationally scarce National Vegetation Classification NVC type MG5 crested dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus – common knapweed Centaurea nigra grassland. General description The site consists of two small fields managed as hay meadows at an altitude of 286 metres on poorly drained soils derived from the Millstone Grits on the north western fringes of the Dark Peak. Much of the site comprises agriculturally unimproved, species rich grassland characterised by a diverse and rich range of native grasses and herbs. Grasses such as red fescue Festuca rubra, crested dog’s tai Cynosurus cristatus, common bent Agrostis capillaris, Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus and sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum all occur in abundance, with heath grass Danthonia decumbens and quaking grass Briza media occurring more locally. Throughout is a diverse range of characteristic herbs which include an abundance of autumn hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis, tormentil Potentilla erecta, common knapweed Centaurea nigra, bird’s foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata, oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, common cat’s ear Hypochaeris radicata and yellow rattle Rhinanthus minor. Also present are harebell Campanula rotundifolia, common spotted orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii, great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis and common eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa. In places on more acidic soil, species such as wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa, tormentil Potentilla erecta, heath bedstraw Galium saxatile and sheep’s sorrel Rumex acetosella also occur.

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
heath grass Danthonia decumbens NT grass poaceae
wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa Not listed in GB list grass poaceae
red fescue Festuca rubra LC grass poaceae
Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus LC grass poaceae
harebell Campanula rotundifolia LC herb campanulaceae
black knapweed Centaurea nigra LC herb asteraceae
spotted orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii LC herb orchidaceae
common eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa LC herb orobanchaceae
heath bedstraw Galium saxatile LC herb rubiaceae
cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata LC herb asteraceae
oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare LC herb asteraceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata LC herb plantaginaceae
tormentil Potentilla erecta LC herb rosaceae
yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor DD herb orobanchaceae
sheep's sorrel Rumex acetosella NT herb polygonaceae
great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis LC herb rosaceae
greater hawkbit Scorzoneroides autumnalis LC herb asteraceae

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, Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Marsh moth
Athetis pallustris
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Heath fritillary
Melitaea athalia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Glanville fritillary
Melitaea cinxia
Endangered Plantago lanceolata
Fiery clearwing
Pyropteron chrysidiformis
Endangered Rumex acetosella
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Rumex spp.
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Plantago spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Centaurea spp., Galium spp., Rhinanthus minor
Garden dart
Euxoa nigricans
Vulnerable Plantago spp., Rumex spp.
Grayling
Hipparchia semele
Vulnerable Festuca rubra
Bedstraw hawk-moth
Hyles gallii
Vulnerable Galium spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Potentilla erecta
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Rumex spp.
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Plantago lanceolata, Rumex spp.
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Plantago spp., Rumex spp.
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Rumex spp.
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca spp.
The Silurian
Eriopygodes imbecilla
Near Threatened Galium saxatile
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Galium spp., Plantago spp., Rumex spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Centaurea spp.
Scarce forester
Jordanita globulariae
Near Threatened Centaurea nigra
Wall
Lasiommata megera
Near Threatened Agrostis spp., Holcus lanatus
Dark-barred twin-spot carpet
Xanthorhoe ferrugata
Near Threatened Galium spp., Rumex 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 15 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Potentilla erecta, Rhinanthus minor, Scorzoneroides autumnalis

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 14 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Briza media, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Rhinanthus minor, Sanguisorba officinalis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis

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, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Euphrasia nemorosa, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Leucanthemum vulgare, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago lanceolata, Rhinanthus minor, Sanguisorba officinalis, Scorzoneroides autumnalis

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 10 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Plantago lanceolata, Rhinanthus minor, Scorzoneroides autumnalis

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 7 species from the description above: Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Centaurea nigra, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Hypochaeris radicata, Lotus corniculatus

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