Keltneyburn

Here’s a well-rounded plant species list for the Keltneyburn Nature Reserve, drawing on official sources and observational records:

Key Plant Species at Keltneyburn Nature Reserve

1. Orchids (eight species recorded)

• Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea): Known for its sweet, orangey scent, especially strong in the evening.  

• Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha): Emits a vanilla scent at night to attract pollinating moths.  

• Small White Orchid (Pseudorchis albida): Noted as one of the site’s key orchid species.  

• Bird’s-nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis)

• Common Twayblade (Neottia ovata) — sometimes simply referred to as “twayblade”  

• Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)

• Marsh Orchid (likely species within Dactylorhiza)  

2. Other Meadow Flowers & Special Plants

• Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare): Blooms midsummer, often called the “solstice flower”.  

• Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria): A small grassland fern found here.  

• Spignel (Meum athamanticum): Smells of aniseed when crushed—historically unwelcome in hay meadows.  

• Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor): Hemiparasitic wildflower.  

• Common Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense, possibly Melampyrum sylvaticum): Hemiparasitic, present on-site.  

• Globeflower (Trollius europaeus): Occurs naturally here in late season.  

• Small Cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum): Noted as being found nearby on a roadside bank.  

3. Woodland Flora (River Gorge Bouquet)

• Whorled Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum verticillatum): Nationally rare, found in the gorge’s woodland ground flora.  

Summary and Recommendations

Summary Table

 Taxon list for NN7749.

Acer pseudoplatanus (2011) 03 - Sycamore

Achillea millefolium (2011) 1 3 - Yarrow

Achillea ptarmica (2006) 1 1 - Sneezewort

Adoxa moschatellina (2006) 01 - Moschatel 

 Aegopodium podagraria (2006) 0 1 - Ground-Elder

Aesculus hippocastanum (2006) 01 - Horse Chestnut

Agrostis canina s.l. (2011) 0 1 - Velvety Bentgrass

Agrostis capillaris (2006) 21 - Common Bentgrass

Agrostis stolonifera (2010) 1 1 - Creeping Bentgrass

Agrostis vinealis (1996) 10 - Brown Bentgrass

Aira praecox (2006) 11 - Early hair-grass

Ajuga reptans (2006) 1 1 - Bugle

Alchemilla alpina (2006) 0 1- Alpine Lady’s Mantle

Alchemilla glabra (2006) 0 1 - Smooth Lady’s Mantle

Alchemilla wichurae (2009) 0 1 - Rock Lady’s Mantle

Alchemilla xanthochlora (2006) 01- Lady’s Mantle

Alliaria petiolata (2006) 0 1 - Garlic Mustard

Allium ursinum (2006) 03 - Ramsons, Wild Garlic

Alopecurus geniculatus (1996) 10 - Foxtail (Grass)

Alopecurus pratensis (2006) 01 - Marsh Foxtail (Grass)

Anemone nemorosa (2011) 16 - Wood Anemone

Angelica sylvestris (2006) 0 3 - Wild Angelica

Anthoxanthum odoratum (2011) 3 12 - Sweet Vernal Grass

Anthriscus sylvestris (2006) 0 1 - Cow Parsley

Arabidopsis thaliana (2006) 0 1 - Thale Cress, Mouse Ear Cress

Arrhenatherum elatius (2010) 26 - False Oat Grass

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum s.s. (2006) 0 1 - Black Spleenwort

Asplenium viride (2006) 0 1 - Green Spleenwort

Athyrium filix-temina (2011) 1 2 - Lady Fern

Bellis perennis (2011) 03 - Daisy

Betula pubescens (2011) 22 - Downy Birch

Brachypodium sylvaticum (2006) 01 - False Brome (Grass)

Briza media (2006)11 - Quaking Grass

Bromopsis benekenii (2010) 1 1 - Lesser Hairy Brome

Calluna vulgaris (2006) 0 1 - Ling

Caltha palustris (2006) 1 2 - Marsh Marigold, King Cup

Campanula rotundifolia (2010) 12 - Harebell

Capsella bursa-pastoris (1996) 10 - Shepherd’s purse

Cardamine flexuosa (1996) 1 0 - Wavy Bittercress, Wood Bittercress

Cardamine pratensis (2011) 1 3 - Cuckoo Flower, Lady’s Smock

Carex caryophyllea (2006) 0 2 - Spring Sedge

Carex demissa (2006) 0 2 - Common Yellow Sedge

Carex flacca (2006) 0 1 - Glaucous Sedge, Blue Sedge

Carex leporina (2011) 12 - Oval Sedge

Carex nigra (2006) 11 - Black Sedge

Carex pallescens (2011) 13 - Pale Sedge

Carex panicea (2006) 1 1 - Carnation Sedge

Carex pilulifera (1996) 1 0 - Pill Sedge

Carex rostrata (2011) 02 - Bottle Sedge, Beaked Sedge

Carex sylvatica (2006)0 1 - Wood-Sedge

Carex vesicaria (2006) 02 - Bladder Sedge, Blister Sedge

Castanea sativa (2006) 0 1 - Sweet Chestnut

Centaurea nigra s.s. (2011) 3 10 - Knapweed

Cerastium fontanum (2011) 2 6 - Common Mouse-ear Chickweed

Cerastium glomeratum (2006) 01 - Sticky Mouse-ear Chickweed

Chamerion angustifollum (2006) 0 1 - Rosebay Willow Herb

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium (2006) 0 1 - Opposite-leaved Golden

Saxifrage Cicerbita macrophyla (1991) 1 0 - Blue Sow Thistle

 Circaea x intermedia (2006) 01 - Upland Enchanter’s Nightshade

Circaea lutetiana (2004) 0 1 - Enchanter’s Nightshade

Cirslum arvense (2006) 2 2 - Creeping Thistle

Cirsium palustre (2011) 1 1 - Marsh Thistle

Cirsium vulgare (2006) 0 1 - Spear Thistle

Conopodium majus (2011) 2 10 - Pignut

Corylus avellana (2011)13 - Hazel

Crataegus monogyna (2011) 2 2 - Common Hawthorn

Crepis paludosa (2006 0 1) - Marsh Hawksbeard

Cynosures cristatus (2011) 3 3 - Crested Dogstail (Grass)

Cystopteris fragilis (2006) 0 1 - Brittle Bladder Fern

Cytisus scoparius (2006) 0 1 - Scotch Broom

Dactylis glomerata (201) 37 - Cock’s Foot Grass

Dactylorhiza fuchsli (2011) 2 - Common Spotted Orchid

Dactylorhiza x venusta (2010) 11 - Spotted x Northern Marsh Orchid

Dactylorhiza maculata (2006) 11 - Heath Spotted Orchid

Dactylorhiza purpurella (2011) 1 3 - Northern Marsh Orchid

Danthonia decumbens (2010) 02 - Heath Grass

Deschampsia cespitosa (2006) 1 1 - Tufted Hair-Grass

Deschampsia flexuosa (2011) 1 3 - Wavy Hair-Grass

Digitalis purpurea (2006) 2 1 - Foxglove

Dryopteris affinis agg.(2006) 11- Golden Shield Fern

Dryopteris dilatata (2006) 11 - Broad Buckler Fern

Eleocharis palustris (2006) 0 1 - Common Spike Rush

Epilobium brunnescens (2006) 01 - New Zealand Willow Herb

Epilobium x vicinum (2006) 0 3 - Hybrid Willow Herbs

Epilobium montanum (2006) 0 1 - Broad-leaved Willow Herb

Epilobium palustre (2006) 1 1 - Marsh Willow Herb

Equisetum arvense (2011) 13 - Field Horsetail, Common Horsetail

Equisetum fluviatile (2006) 1 1 - Water Horsetail

Equisetum palustre (2006) 0 1 - Marsh Horsetail

Euphrasia arctica (2010) 0 1 - Arctic Eyebright

Euphrasia officinalis agg. (2006) 1 4- Eyebright

Euphrasia officinalis subsp, pratensis x arctica (2016) 0 1

Fagus sylvatica (2006) 02 - Beech

Festuca ovina (2010) 0 - Sheep’s Fescue

Festuca ovina agg. (2011) 12 - Sheep’s Fescue

Festuca rubra (2006) 01 - Red Fescue

Festuca vivipara (2006) 01 - Viviparous Sheep’s Fescue

Ficaria verna (2006) 01 - Lesser Celendine, Pilewort

Filipendula ulmaria (2011) 3 6 - Meadowsweet

Fragaria vesca (2006) 0 1 - Wild Strawberry

Fraxinus excelsior (2011) 13 - Ash

Galliopsis tetrahit agg.(1996) 10 - Common Hemp-nettle

Galium aparine (2006) 1 2 - Sticky Willie

Galium odoratum (2006) 0 2 - Sweet Scented Bedstraw, Woodruff

Galium palustre (2006) 12 - Marsh Bedstraw

Galium saxatile (2011)04 - Heath Bedstraw

Galium sterneri (1996) 10 - Limestone Bedstraw

Galium uliginosum (2006) 0 1 - Fen Bedstraw

Galium vernum (2006) 2 2 - Lady’s Bedstraw

Geranium pratense (2006) 02 - Meadow Cranesbill

Geranium robertianum (2006) 02 - Herb Robert

Geranium sylvaticum (2011) 1 3 - Wood Cranesbill

Geum urbanum (2011) - Herb Bennet

Glyceria fluitans s.s. (2006) 11 - Floating Sweet Grass

Gymnadenia borealis (2015) 04 - Heath Fragrant Orchid

Gymnadenia conopsea s.s. (2008) 11 - Marsh Fragrant Orchid

Gymnadenia conopsea s.l. (2006) 0 1 - Chalk Fragrant Orchid

Gymnocarpium dryopteris (2006) 12 - Northern Oak Fern

Heracleum sphondylium (2011) 25 - Hogweed

Holcus lanatus (2011)3 13 - Yorkshire Fog

Holcus mollis (2006) 13 - Creeping Velvet Grass

Hyacinthoides non-scripta (2011)14 - English Bluebell

Hypericum perforatum (2006) 0 1 - Perforate St. John’s Wort

Hypericum pulchrum (2006) 0 1 - Slender St.John’s Wort

Hypochaeris radicata (2011) 2 10 - Cat’s Ear

Juncus acutifiorus (2006) 14 - Sharp Flowered Rush

Juncus articulatus (2006)0 1 - Jointleaf Rush

Juncus bufonius s.s.(2006) 0 1 - Toad Rush

Juncus bufonius s.i. (1996) 10 - Toad Rush

Juncus bulbosus (2006) 0 1 - Bulbous Rush

Juncus conglomeratus (2006) 01 - Compact Rush

Juncus effusus (201n) 13 - Soft Rush

Lapsana communis (2011) 1 1 - Nipplewort

Lathyrus linitolilus (2011) 2 5 - Bitter Vetch

Lathyrus pratensis (2006) 23 - Meadow Vetchling

Lemna minor (1996) 10 - Common Duckweed

Leucanthemum vulgare 2011) 13 - Ox-eye Daisy

Lolium perenne (2006) 11 - Perennial Ryegrass

Lonicera periclymenum (2006) 0 2 - Honeysuckle

Lotus corniculatus (2006) 25 - Birds-foot Trefoil

Lotus pedunculatus (2006) 1 1 Greater Birds-foot Trefoil (Big Trefoil)

Luzula campestris (2011) 15 - Field Wood-rush

Luzula multiflora (2006) 1 1 - Common Woodrush

Luzula pilosa (2006) 01 - Hairy Wood-Rush

Luzula sylvatica (2006) 0 1 -Greater Wood-Rush

Lysimachia nemorum (2006) 0 1 - Yellow Pimpernel

Matricaria discoidea (2006) 11 - Pineapple weed, Wild Chamomile

Medicago lupulina (2011) 0 1 - Black Medick

Melampyrum pratense (2011) 14 - Common Cow-wheat

Melampyrum sylvaticum (1996) 3 0 Small Cow-wheat

Melica uniflora (2006) 02 - Wood Melick

Mentha aquatica (2006) 13 - Water Mint

Mercurialis perennis (2006) 1 2 - Dog’s Mercury

Meum anthamanticum (2013) 3 27 - Spignel

Montia fontana (1999) 20 - Water Chickweed

Myosotis discolor (2006) 11 - Changing Forget-me-not

Nardus stricta (2006) 01 - Mat Grass

Neottia nidus-avis (2011) 25 - Bird’s Nest Orchid

Neottia ovata (2011)15 - Common Twayblade

Odontites vernus (2006) 0 1 - Red Bartsia

Oreopteris limbosperma (2011) 1 2 - Lemon Scented Fern

Oxalis acetosella (2011) 15 - Wood Sorrel

Persicaria vivipara (2011) 03 - Alpine Bistort

Petasites hybridus (2006) 01 - Butterbur

Phegopteris connectilis (2011) 03 - Northern Beech Fern

Phleum pratense s.l. (2006) 22 - Timothy (Grass)

Pilosella officinarum (2010) 13 - Mouse-ear-hawkweed

Pimpinella saxifraga (2006) 04 - Burnet Saxifrage

Plantago lanceolata (2011) 39 - Ribwort Plantain

Plantago major (2011) 12 - Greater Plantain

Platanthera bifolia (2006) 0 1 - Lesser Butterfly Orchid

Platanthera chlorantha (2011) 24 - Greater Butterfly Orchid

Poa annua (2006) 01 Annual Meadow Grass , Annual Bluegrass

Poa humilis (2006) 0 1 - Spreading Meadow Grass

Poa nemoralis (2006) 01 - Wood Meadow Grass

Poa pratensis s.l (2011) 1 2 - Smooth Meadow Grass

Poa trivialis (2006) 22 - Rought Meadow Grass

Polygala vulgaris (2006) 0 1 - Common Milkwort

 Polypodium vulgare s.l. (2006) 0 1 - Common Polpody (Fern)

 Polystichum aculeatum (2011) 02 - Hard Shield Fern

Potamogeton polygonifolilus (2006) 02 - Bog Pondweed

Potentilla anserina (2011) 13 - Silverweed, silver cinquefoil

Potentilla erecta (2011) 29 - Tormentil

Potentilla sterilis (2006) 02 - Barren strawberry

Primula vulgaris (2006) 02 - Common Primrose

Prunella vulgaris (2011) 22 - Common Primrose

Prunus padus (2006) 0 1 - Bird Cherry

Prunus spinosa (2012) 13 - Blackthorn

Pteridium aquilinum (2010) 28 - Bracken (Eagle Fern)

Quercus petraea (2006) 0 1 - Sessile Oak

Quercus robur (2011) - Pedunculate Oak

Ranunculus acris (2011) 26 - Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculus auricomus (2006) 02 - Goldilocks Buttercup

Ranunculus flammula (2006) 12 - Lesser Spearwort

Ranunculus repens ( 1990) 1 0 - Creeping Buttercup

Rhinanthus minor (2011) 2 12 - Yellow Rattle

Rosa cassia s.l. (2006) 0 1 - Northern Dog Rose

Rosa caesia subsp. caesia x canina (2010) 0 1 Northern Dog Rose x Dog Rose hybrid

Rosa canina agg. (1999) 10 - Dog Rose

Rubus fructosus agg. (1996) 1 0 - Blackberry

Rubus idaeus (2006) 0 1- Raspberry

Rumex acetosa (2011) 2 9 - Common Sorrel

Rumex acetosella (2006) 1 1 - Sheep’s Sorrel

Rumex obtusifolius (2006) 2 1 - Broad-leaved Dock

Salix aurita (2006) 1 - Eared Willow

Salix caprea (2006) 02 - Goat Willow, Pussy Willow

Salix cinerea (2006) 11 - Grey Willow , Common Sallow

Sanicula europaea (2006) 0 1 - Sanicle

Saxifraga aizoides (2006) 0 1 - Yellow Mountain Saxifrage

Schedonorus pratensis (2010) 11 - Meadow Fescue

Scorzoneroides autumnalis (1996) 20 - Autumn Hawkbit

Scrophularia nodosa (2011) 0 1 - Common Figwort

Senecio jacobaca (2006) 2 1 - Ragwort, Stinking Willie

Silene flos-cuculi (2011) 13 - Ragged Robin

Sorbus aucuparia (2011) 04 - Rowan, Mountain Ash

Stachys sylvatica (2006) 02 - Hedge Woundwort

Stellaria alsine (2006) 1 - Bog Stitchwort

Stellaria graminea (2011) 28 - Lesser Stitchwort, Common Starwort

Stellaria holostea (2006) 0 3 - Greater Stitchwort, Addersmeat

Stellaria media s.s. (2006) 11 - Chickweed

Succisa pratensis (2011) 2 8 - Devil’s-bit Scabious

Teucrium scorodonia (2006) 0 1 - Wood sage (Wood Germander)

Thymus polytrichus (2006) 0 1 - Wild Thyme

Trientalis europaea (2006) 11 - Chickweed Wintergreen

Trifolium dubium (2006) 0 1 - Lesser Trefoil

Trifolium pratense (2011) 27 - Red Clover

Trifolium repens (2011) 36 - White Clover

Trisotum flavescons (1999) 10 - Yellow Oat-Grass

Trollius europaeus (2011) 1 2 - Globeflower

Ulmus glabra (2006) 02 - Wych Elm

Urtica dioica (2006) 2 - Common Nettle

Vaccínium myrtillus (2011) 1 3 - Bilberry

Valeriana officinalis (2006) 01 - Valerian

Veronica beccabunga (2006) 12 - European Speedwell

Veronica chamaedrys (2011) 27 - Germander Speedwell

Veronica officinalis (2006) 11 - Heath Speedwell

Veronica scutellata (2006) 0 1 - Marsh Speedwell

Veronica serpyllifolia (2006) 01 - Thyme-leaved Speedwell

 Vicia cracca (2006) 02 - Tufted Vetch

Vicia sepium (2006) 02 - Bush Vetch

Viola palustris (2011) 0 3 - Marsh Violet

Viola riviniana (2006) 1 2 - Dog Violet

Total of 247 species

Colour coded according to main plant categories

Dark Green - Trees

 Blue - Grasses

Light Green - Ferns

Pink - Sedges

Turquoise - Orchids

Orange - Rushes

Red - Other plants