Coed Afon Pumryd
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Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Description A biological site considered to be amongst the richest for slime moulds (myxomycetes) in Britain. It is an outstanding site for the group of myxomycetes associated with wet, moss covered rocks and nutrient enriched waters. The group of species is typified by the rare Diderma lucidum, Craterium muscorum, D. ochraceum, Lamproderma columbinum and Lepidoderma tigrinum. These are oceanic species found on shaded north facing rock surfaces with a constant high humidity provided by the Afon Pumryd which cascades down a 20 metre waterfall. The commonest moss substrate is Dicranum scoparium. Amongst the 61 myxomycete species many are rare; Cribraria splendens, Lycogala exiguum and Physarum murinum are the only known Welsh records. The diversity of species is remarkable for such a small area. The woodland in the gorge is dominated by sessile oak Quercus petraea, with beech Fagus sylvatica, ash Fraxinus excelsior and sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus. On parts of the surrounding woodland birch Betula sp. is dominant with large areas of rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum present. The ground flora is varied with grasses predominating such as sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, wavy hair grass Deschampsia flexuosa and sheeps fescue Festuca ovina. Carpets of moss include Isothecium myosuroides, Leucobryum glaucum and species of Polytrichum. Ivy Hedera helix and honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum are abundant on trees and rocks. Remarks:Within the Snowdonia National Park.
Species mentioned
Show the 14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| sweet vernal grass | Anthoxanthum odoratum | LC | grass | poaceae |
| wavy hair grass | Deschampsia flexuosa | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| sheep's fescue | Festuca ovina | LC | grass | poaceae |
| honeysuckle | Lonicera periclymenum | LC | herb | caprifoliaceae |
| Craterium muscorum | Not listed in GB list | microorganism | physaraceae | |
| broom fork moss | Dicranum scoparium | LC | moss | dicranales |
| mouse-tail moss | Isothecium myosuroides | LC | moss | hypnales |
| large white moss | Leucobryum glaucum | LC | moss | dicranales |
| rhodedendron | Rhododendron ponticum | Not listed in GB list | shrub | ericaceae |
| sycamore | Acer pseudoplatanus | Not listed in GB list | tree | aceraceae |
| beech | Fagus sylvatica | LC | tree | fabiaceae |
| ash | Fraxinus excelsior | LC | tree | oleaceae |
| sessile or durmast oak | Quercus petraea | LC | tree | fagaceae |
| 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 | Fagus sylvatica, Quercus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp. |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Lonicera periclymenum, Quercus spp. |
| Marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| Grayling Hipparchia semele |
Vulnerable | Festuca ovina |
| White admiral Limenitis camilla |
Vulnerable | Lonicera periclymenum |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus spp. |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp. |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Quercus spp. |
| Oak hook-tip Watsonalla binaria |
Vulnerable | Quercus petraea |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus |
Near Threatened | Festuca spp. |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Acer pseudoplatanus, Quercus 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 | Festuca ovina |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Quercus spp. |
| Silver-spotted skipper Hesperia comma |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Festuca ovina |
| 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.