Grasses & Woodrushes
Quaking Grass (Briza media)
Monks Dale NNR
One of the most characteristic and beautiful grasses of the White Peak. When in flower, no other grass resembles it (apart from the annual B.minor) - the graceful flower panicles bear distinctive, purple, flattened spikelets which hang downwards and rustle in the wind (hence the common name).
Yellow Oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens)
near Hassop
Named for the yellowish tinge to the inflorescences, T. flavescens is a common species of calcareous grassland in the White Peak. Apart from the colour, its best distinguishing character is the long, bent awn which protrudes from each flower.
Deschampsia cespitosa (Tufted Hair-grass)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This very common grass is often a dominant species in meadows in the White Peak. It is a tall species, with stems growing to as much as 2m in favourable sites.
As well as its densely tufted habit, D.cespitosa can be recognised by a combination of very rough-edged, narrow leaves (almost like fine sandpaper) and graceful, open flower panicles. Individual flowers are narrow, silvery and bear a straight awn.
As well as its densely tufted habit, D.cespitosa can be recognised by a combination of very rough-edged, narrow leaves (almost like fine sandpaper) and graceful, open flower panicles. Individual flowers are narrow, silvery and bear a straight awn.
Phleum bertolonii (Small Timothy)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This small, delicate grass is a specialist of calcareous grassland. In many ways it resembles it more cosmopolitan cousin, P.pratense, but is smaller in all its parts and has pointed, rather than blunt, ligules.
Phleum species, as a group, are easily recognised by their dense, cylindrical inflorescences - only Alopecurus species share these, but the lemmas and glumes are different for each genus.
stem leaf detail
Phleum species, as a group, are easily recognised by their dense, cylindrical inflorescences - only Alopecurus species share these, but the lemmas and glumes are different for each genus.
stem leaf detail
Arrhenatherum elatius (False Oat-grass)
Cunning Dale
This very common grass is described in the Dark Peak & Peak Fringe section of the site.
Crested Dog's-tail (Cynosurus cristatus)
Biggin Dale NNR
A very common grass throughout Derbyshire, Crested Dog's-tail is easily-recognised by its narrow, cylindrical flower spikes.
It is described in more detail in the Dark Peak & Peak Fringe section of the site.
It is described in more detail in the Dark Peak & Peak Fringe section of the site.
Tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This robust species is uncommon in the White Peak, being far more abundant and widespread on the Magnesian Limestone in the east of the county.
Tor-grass is easily-spotted where is does occur, however. The pinnate spikes with pointed florets have a unique appearance among Derbyshire grasses and the foliage has a bright apple-green colour unlike most other open grassland species. When large patches of this species are found (as shown below in Cressbrook Dale), it can be seen from some distance away.
in habitat
Tor-grass is easily-spotted where is does occur, however. The pinnate spikes with pointed florets have a unique appearance among Derbyshire grasses and the foliage has a bright apple-green colour unlike most other open grassland species. When large patches of this species are found (as shown below in Cressbrook Dale), it can be seen from some distance away.
in habitat
Brachypodium sylvaticum
Biggin Dale
Text comng soon.
Cock's-foot (Dactylis glomerata)
Biggin Dale
Text coming soon!
Sweet Vernal-grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
image coming soon!
Biggin Dale
Biggin Dale
Text coming soon!
Sheep's Fescue (Festuca ovina)
image coming soon!
Biggin Dale
Biggin Dale
Text coming soon!
Small Sweet-grass (Glyceria declinata)
River Dove, Biggin Dale
Small Sweet-grass is much smaller than Reed Sweet-grass, and is found at scattered lowland sites throughout Derbyshire. It grows to around 50cm tall and can be recognised most easily by its distinctive glaucous leaves, which taper abruptly to an obtuse, pointed tip. All other Glycerias have gradually tapering, acute leaf tips.
Luzula campestris (Field Woodrush)
Coombs Dale SSSI
Much the commonest of Derbyshire's four Luzula species, Field Woodrush is an attractive, small plant which can be seen in open grassland in almost any part of the county. In early spring, the flowers emerge with long, bright yellow anthers. Unlike our other Wood-rush species, L. campestris prefers base-rich (or at least neutral) soil. In much of the White Peak, this is the only member of the genus present.
Identifying this species is easy in Derbyshire - it could only be confused with L. multiflora, but that species grows on acidic moorland and has congested, globular inflorescences.
Identifying this species is easy in Derbyshire - it could only be confused with L. multiflora, but that species grows on acidic moorland and has congested, globular inflorescences.
Sedges
Flat-sedge (Blysmus compressus)
Monks Dale NNR
This unusual species is a rare plant in Derbyshire. It favours base-rich, permanently marshy sites (not a common habitat in the White Peak), where it grows with a typical assortment of sedges, rushes and other moisture-loving calcicoles.
Blysmus is easy to recognise when in fruit, as the inflorescence is strongly flattened, quite unlike other sedges.
Blysmus is easy to recognise when in fruit, as the inflorescence is strongly flattened, quite unlike other sedges.
Carex flacca (Glaucous sedge)
Monks Dale NNR
A very common sedge of open habitats, C. flacca is often abundant in the limestone grasslands of the White Peak. Its glaucous, broad leaves (which are darker underneath) and creeping habit make it easy to recognise. C. panicea can look similar and the two grow together in wet habitats, but the latter species has leaves glaucous on both sides.
Bird's-foot Sedge (Carex ornithopoda)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
One of Britain's rarest sedges, this tiny plant is entirely confined to limestone areas of the northwest Pennines apart from its very few sites in the White Peak dales. Here it grows in short turf, where grazing ensures it is not shaded out and smothered by surrounding vegetation.
Bird's-foot Sedge is aptly-named, as the inflorescence does indeed resemble a bird's foot.
Bird's-foot Sedge is aptly-named, as the inflorescence does indeed resemble a bird's foot.
Carex caryophyllaea (Spring Sedge)
Tideslow Rake SSSI
Certainly the smallest sedge in the Peak District, this tiny species is only easy to spot when flowering in the spring. It grows in open, short turf, blooming before the surrounding grasses start to grow.
Distinguishing features for identifying this lovely little plant are its green, not glaucous, leaves and short, dense inflorescence, with a club-shaped male spike and 1-3 short, female spikes immediately below it.
Distinguishing features for identifying this lovely little plant are its green, not glaucous, leaves and short, dense inflorescence, with a club-shaped male spike and 1-3 short, female spikes immediately below it.
Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa (syn. C. demissa)
Monks Dale NNR
This water-loving sedge is rare in the White Peak due to the scarcity of suitable marshy habitats. It is more frequent and widespread in the Dark Peak, where it is a typical species of moorland flushes.
Carex hirta (Hairy Sedge)
images coming soon!
Harpur Hill, Buxton
Harpur Hill, Buxton
Hairy Sedge is an unusual member of the family, with hairy fruits and soft, floppy, hairy leaves which feel more like a grass than a sedge. These features make it very easy to recognise. It grows in damp grassland and marshes and alongside streams (as shown here).
It is a widespread species in Derbyshire, although most records are from lowland sites. It is a rare species in the uplands.
It is a widespread species in Derbyshire, although most records are from lowland sites. It is a rare species in the uplands.
Rushes
Juncus articulatus (Jointed Rush)
Monks Dale NNR
Although rather similar (superficially) to Sharp-flowered Rush (J. acutiflorus), this species is far more cosmopolitan and widespread in Derbyshire.
Identifying Jointed Rush is best done by looking at the flowers and fruits. In this species, the inner tepals are rounded (they are sharp in J. acutiflorus). The inflorescences also often bear more flowers than acutiflorus, although is some overlap between the two species.
Identifying Jointed Rush is best done by looking at the flowers and fruits. In this species, the inner tepals are rounded (they are sharp in J. acutiflorus). The inflorescences also often bear more flowers than acutiflorus, although is some overlap between the two species.
Ferns
Asplenium trichomanes ssp.quadrilvalens (Maidenhair Spleenwort)
Lathkill Dale NNR
Along with Wall Rue (below), this small species is the most commonly-encountered fern in the White Peak, especially away from woodland.
It is very easy to recognise with its rounded pinnae and very dark stems and midribs.
It is very easy to recognise with its rounded pinnae and very dark stems and midribs.
Wall Rue (Asplenium ruta-muraria)
Coombs Dale SSSI
Wall Rue is a common species in the White Peak, typically growing in small cracks on rock ledges. The fan-shaped pinnae and green stalks make it an easy species to recognise.
Ceterach officinarum (Rustyback Fern)
Mill Dale (Dovedale)
Rustyback Fern is a rare species in Derbyshire, despite being a specialist of calcareous rocks.
The common name of this small fern comes from the dense covering of red-brown scales on the back of the pinnae. When the fern dries up, these pinnae curl over and the plant resembles a twisted ball of brown fuzz!
The common name of this small fern comes from the dense covering of red-brown scales on the back of the pinnae. When the fern dries up, these pinnae curl over and the plant resembles a twisted ball of brown fuzz!
Brittle Bladder-fern (Cystopteris fragilis)
This delicate species grows on damp, sheltered limestone rock ledges and is common in the White Peak. It can be recognised by its delicate, narrow fronds and overall pale green colour.
Limestone Fern (Gymnocarpium robertianum)
Coombs Dale SSSI
Monks Dale NNR
This specialist of limestone scree is rare in the Peak District, although it can be locally abundant when seen.
Limestone Fern resembles its close cousin Oak Fern, but tends to be a larger plant, with an upright habit. Oak Fern is also a calcifuge woodland species and very rare in the White Peak.
Monks Dale NNR
Limestone Fern resembles its close cousin Oak Fern, but tends to be a larger plant, with an upright habit. Oak Fern is also a calcifuge woodland species and very rare in the White Peak.
Monks Dale NNR
Asplenium viride (Green Spleenwort)
Conies Dale
This lovely fern is uncommon in Derbyshire, which sits at the southern end of its British distribution. It is restricted to a few damp sites in the north of the Peak District.
Green Spleenwort is described in the Flora of northern England section of the site.
Green Spleenwort is described in the Flora of northern England section of the site.
Adder's-tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgare)
Cressbrook Dale NNR
This unusual fern is widespread in the White Peak but it is perhaps the county's hardest fern to spot, as it tends to grow as scattered individuals amongst other perennials and grasses. Unless the distinctive central frond (the origin of the species' name) is spotted, the fern is almost invisible.
