Gweunydd Dwfnant (Dwfnant Pasture)

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.2321, -3.4216

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Powys County

Description

Description This site is an excellent example of diverse herb-rich pasture on acid-neutral soils and is noted for the occurrence of several uncommon species, including lesser butterfly-orchid Platanthera bifolia. It occupies gently sloping ground on which there are shallow undulations. It is moderately free-draining and there are dry banks, patches of bracken and woodland edge which provide additional habitats. The sward is generally herb-rich, and although some species are fairly widespread there is a zonation between the hummocks and the hollows. The grassland is generally dominated by bents Agrostis/Fescue, with abundant sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and crested dog's-tail Cynosurus cristatus locally frequent. Elsewhere, heath-grass Danthonia decumbens and purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea are also well represented. Quaking-grass Briza media is widespread, but local, and mat-grass Nardus stricta is also present. The two uncommon plants, moonwort Botrychium lunaria and adder’s-tongue Ophioglossum vulgatum occur. Sedges are locally abundant in the hollows, with glaucous sedge Carex flacca, common yellow-sedge C. demissa, common sedge C. nigra and pale sedge C. pallescens all well represented. Lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica and lesser skullcap Scutellaria minor occur occasionally and great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis is locally frequent. Meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum occurs locally. The drier rises are characterised by the abundance of devil's-bit scabious Succisa pratensis which is widespread throughout the site, including the hollows. However, species characteristic of drier conditions are present, including burnet-saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga, sneezewort Achillea ptarmica, bird's-foot-trefoil Lotus corniculatus and selfheal Prunella vulgaris. Of particular interest is the good representation of both petty whin Genista anglica and dyer's greenweed G. tinctoria, the latter being locally abundant in the western pasture. Heath spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza maculata is scattered throughout the site, whilst the lesser butterfly-orchid has been recorded in large numbers over a large area of the western pasture. The eastern pasture is generally more variable in the composition and development of its herb flora and is rather more base-rich in character, as indicated by the frequent presence of fairy flax Linum catharticum. Adder’s-tongue is locally abundant and both common spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsii and broad-leaved helleborine Epipactis helleborine have been recorded. The site’s sheltered position, its diversity of herb species and the presence of trees and scrub probably contributes to the diversity of common butterfly species recorded from these pastures.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
moonwort Botrychium lunaria VU fern ophioglossaceae
adders-tongue fern Ophioglossum vulgatum LC fern ophioglossaceae
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
purple moor grass Molinia caerulea LC grass poaceae
mat grass Nardus stricta LC grass poaceae
sneezewort Achillea ptarmica LC herb asteraceae
meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum EN herb asteraceae
spotted orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii LC herb orchidaceae
heath spotted orchid Dactylorhiza maculata LC herb orchidaceae
broad-leaved helleborine Epipactis helleborine DD herb orchidaceae
petty whin Genista anglica EN herb fabaceae
fairy flax Linum catharticum LC herb linaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
lousewort Pedicularis sylvatica NT herb orobanchaceae
burnet saxifrage Pimpinella saxifraga NT herb apiaceae
lesser butterfly orchid Platanthera bifolia VU herb orchidaceae
selfheal Prunella vulgaris LC herb lamiaceae
great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis LC herb rosaceae
lesser skullcap Scutellaria minor LC herb lamiaceae
devils-bit scabious Succisa pratensis VU herb caprifoliaceae
glaucus sedge Carex flacca LC sedge cyperaceae

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 Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Linum catharticum, Lotus corniculatus
Chequered skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
Endangered Molinia caerulea
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Least minor
Photedes captiuncula
Endangered Carex flacca
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Large heath
Coenonympha tullia
Vulnerable Molinia caerulea
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Marsh fritillary
Euphydryas aurinia
Vulnerable Succisa pratensis
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Lead belle
Scotopteryx mucronata
Vulnerable Genista anglica
The anomalous
Stilbia anomala
Vulnerable Molinia caerulea
Hedge rustic
Tholera cespitis
Vulnerable Nardus stricta
Small heath
Coenonympha pamphilus
Near Threatened Cynosurus cristatus, Nardus stricta
Silver barred
Deltote bankiana
Near Threatened Molinia caerulea
Small mountain ringlet
Erebia epiphron
Near Threatened Nardus stricta
Tawny speckled
Eupithecia icterata
Near Threatened Achillea ptarmica
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Pimpinella saxifraga
Bordered pug
Eupithecia succenturiata
Near Threatened Achillea ptarmica
Rosy minor
Litoligia literosa
Near Threatened Carex flacca
Swallowtail papilio
Papilio machaon
Near Threatened Pimpinella saxifraga

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

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Matches 4 species from the description above: Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex flacca, Nardus stricta, Succisa pratensis

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

W25 — Bracken scrub

Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub

Matches 1 species from the description above: Anthoxanthum odoratum

Hedera helix, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sambucus nigra, Ulex europaeus, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Luzula multiflora, Mnium hornum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Heracleum sphondylium, Arum maculatum, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Silene dioica, Stellaria holostea, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Glechoma hederacea, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Chamerion angustifolium, Circaea lutetiana, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ficaria verna, Potentilla erecta, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium mollugo sens.lat., Galium saxatile, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas