Walk through the chalk grassland in Warren Farm in summer and you’re likely release the rich aromas of sweet hay, as thyme, marjoram and common vetch.
In the surveyed conducted in 2015 by the Woodland Trust there were a total of ninety seven plants recorded. Most notably Downy Oat-grass (Helicotrichon pubescen), Field Scabious (Scabiosa pratensis) and Bladder Campion (Silene vulgaris) which has been recorded in 2015 for the first time. These are three (of the many) indicator species for calcareous grassland habitat. Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has increased in the past 5 years since the 2010 report which is a key component of calcareous grassland.
The top 15 plant species recorded in Warren Farm, by Woodland Trust in 2015 from highest to lowest is as follows:
False Oat Grass, Canadian Goldenrod, Ribwort Plantain, Yellow Rattle, Hedge Bedstraw, Agrimony, Wild Carrot, Hawkweed Ox-tongue, Yorkshire Fog, Red Clover, Kidney Vetch, Rough Hawksbeard,Common Bent ,Common Knapweed,
Chalk Downland offers a truly wildlife rich habitat – up to 40 species of flowering plants can be found in one square metre of lowland calcareous grassland – it has even been called the European equivalent of the tropical rainforest.
