Cwm Cynfal
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Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine
Landscape processes: Fluvial
Description
Description A fine upland gorge of physiographic and floristic importance in which the pattern of vegetation is closely related to the pattern of the underlying basic and acidic soils and rocks. The flora of the site was first recorded by Ridley in 1884 and is particularly rich in ferns and bryophytes including such species as green spleenwort Asplenium viride, Bladder Fern Cystopteris fragilis, Scottish Filmy Fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii and the moss, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. Among the interesting higher plants present are Mountain Melick Melica nutans and Acer campestre Acer campestre. Remarks This site lies within the Snowdonia National Park.
Species mentioned
Show the 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| green spleenwort | Asplenium viride | LC | fern | aspleniaceae |
| brittle bladder fern | Cystopteris fragilis | CR | fern | woodsiaceae |
| Wilson's filmy-fern | Hymenophyllum wilsonii | VU | fern | hymenophyllaceae |
| mountain melick | Melica nutans | VU | grass | poaceae |
| springy turf moss | Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus | LC | moss | hypnales |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Maple pug Eupithecia inturbata |
Endangered | Acer campestre |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Acer campestre |
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.