Talhenbont
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Description
Description Talhenbont is selected for its botanical interest, both for the woodland habitat represented and as an important site for epiphytic lichens which occur on mature trees in the woodland as well as in and around adjoining agricultural fields. The broadleaved woodland, which is an example of the ivy-oak/ash Hedera helix – Quercus/Fraxinus woodland type, is situated on moderate to steep slopes on both sides of the Afon Dwyfach at an altitude of 20 to 55m. Ash Fraxinus excelsior and occasional sessile oak Quercus petraea are the main native high canopy tree species, and beech Fagus sylvatica, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus and sweet chestnut Castanea sativa are also present. hazel Corylus avellana is frequent as an understorey shrub and holly Ilex aquifolium is locally abundant. The structure of the field layer and ground flora is mixed and variable; various species are locally dominant, e.g. bramble Rubus fruticosus, bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, greater woodrush Luzula sylvatica and broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata and woodland bryophytes, e.g. Leucobryum glaucum and Dicranum majus, are abundant on the steeper slopes; in more base-rich conditions at the base of the slopes species such as dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis and enchanter’s nightshade Circaea lutetiana are present. Uncommon species in the wooded area include hay-scented buckler fern Dryopteris aemula, globeflower Trollius europaeus and the bryophytes Isothecium holtii and Porella pinnata. The diverse epiphytic flora of this site includes over 100 corticolous species and the richest communities occur on ash, oak and elm Ulmus glabra and U. procera trees in the woodland and adjacent pastures. A range of rare and uncommon species are present, e.g. Catinaria grossa and Arthonia ilicina.
Species mentioned
Show the 23 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| hay-scented fern | Dryopteris aemula | LC | fern | dryopteridaceae |
| broad buckler fern | Dryopteris dilatata | LC | fern | dryopteridaceae |
| enchanter's nightshade | Circaea lutetiana | LC | herb | onagraceae |
| bluebell | Hyacinthoides non-scripta | LC | herb | liliaceae |
| dog's mercury | Mercurialis perennis | LC | herb | euphorbiaceae |
| bramble | Rubus fruticosus | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| globe flower | Trollius europaeus | VU | herb | ranunculaceae |
| Arthonia ilicina | LC | lichen | arthoniaceae | |
| no common name | Catinaria grossa | Not listed in GB list | lichen | no common name |
| pinnate scalewort | Porella pinnata | LC | liverwort | jungermanniales |
| greater fork moss | Dicranum majus | LC | moss | dicranales |
| Holt's mouse-tail moss | Isothecium holtii | LC | moss | hypnales |
| large white moss | Leucobryum glaucum | LC | moss | dicranales |
| great wood rush | Luzula sylvatica | LC | rush | juncaceae |
| sycamore | Acer pseudoplatanus | Not listed in GB list | tree | aceraceae |
| sweet chestnut | Castanea sativa | LC | tree | fagaceae |
| hazel | Corylus avellana | LC | tree | corylaceae |
| beech | Fagus sylvatica | LC | tree | fabiaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
| holly | Ilex aquifolium | LC | tree | aquifoliaceae |
| sessile or durmast oak | Quercus petraea | LC | tree | fagaceae |
| wych elm | Ulmus glabra | LC | tree | ulmaceae |
| ivy | Hedera helix | LC | woody climber | araliaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oak lutestring Cymatophorina diluta |
Endangered | Quercus petraea |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus, Ulmus spp. |
| Golden plusia Polychrysia moneta |
Endangered | Trollius europaeus |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Rubus fruticosus, Ulmus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer pseudoplatanus, Castanea sativa, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus, Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Rubus fruticosus |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Rubus fruticosus |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus petraea |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Acer pseudoplatanus, Corylus avellana, Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| September thorn Ennomos erosaria |
Near Threatened | Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. |
| Dusky thorn Ennomos fuscantaria |
Near Threatened | Fraxinus excelsior |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Hyacinthoides non-scripta |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Frosted green Polyploca ridens |
Near Threatened | Quercus petraea |
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.