Coed Dyrysiog
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Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Sandstone
Description
Description A mixed broadleaved woodland developed on steeply sloping Old Red Sandstone on the east bank of the Nant Bran. One of the few afforested commons in Brecknock, the wood is ungrazed and has a diverse ground flora. The drier banks support mainly oak of mixed ages whilst ash is commonest in wetter flushed areas. The rich shrub layer includes hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, field maple Acer campestre and guelder rose Viburnum opulus. A very variable ground flora ranges from species-poor communities dominated by bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus with common cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense to species-rich communities including sanicle Sanicula europaea and wild strawberry Fragaria vesca. Uncommon plant species of the ground layer include the globe flower Trollius europaeus, alternate leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium alternifolium and meadow saxifrage Saxifraga granulata. The epiphytic flora is well developed with a number of interesting species such as the lichens Parmelia revoluta and Thelotrema lepadinum and the liverwort Metzgeria fruticulosa. Remarks:Managed as a nature reserve by the Brecknock Wildlife Trust.
Species mentioned
Show the 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| alternate leaved golden saxifrage | Chrysosplenium alternifolium | LC | herb | saxifragaceae |
| wild strawberry | Fragaria vesca | LC | herb | rosaceae |
| common cowwheat | Melampyrum pratense | VU | herb | orobanchaceae |
| sanicle | Sanicula europaea | LC | herb | apiaceae |
| meadow saxifrage | Saxifraga granulata | VU | herb | saxifragaceae |
| globe flower | Trollius europaeus | VU | herb | ranunculaceae |
| barnacle lichen | Thelotrema lepadinum | LC | lichen | no common name |
| bluish veilwort | Metzgeria fruticulosa | Not listed in GB list | liverwort | metzgeriales |
| hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | LC | shrub | rosaceae |
| billberry | Vaccinium myrtillus | LC | shrub | ericaceae |
| gelder rose | Viburnum opulus | LC | shrub | caprifoliaceae |
| field maple | Acer campestre | LC | tree | aceraceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Speckled footman Coscinia cribraria |
Critically Endangered | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Figure of eight Diloba caeruleocephala |
Endangered | Crataegus spp. |
| Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata |
Endangered | Acer campestre |
| The lappet Gastropacha quercifolia |
Endangered | Crataegus monogyna |
| Heath fritillary Melitaea athalia |
Endangered | Melampyrum pratense |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Crataegus spp. |
| Golden plusia Polychrysia moneta |
Endangered | Trollius europaeus |
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp., Fragaria spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Crataegus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre, Crataegus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Fragaria vesca |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Crataegus monogyna, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna, Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Rosy marsh moth Coenophila subrosea |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp. |
| The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Crataegus monogyna |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Crataegus spp. |
| Scotch burnet Zygaena exulans |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
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.