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The situation of Buxton is remarkably
unique with regard to what it can offer to the Botanist, wild
flower and plant enthusiast in general. This wildly rugged
and attractive north-west corner of Derbyshire, is where the
river Wye cuts into the deep valley limestone geology, hereto
known as the White Peak. It shares its origins with the wild
bleak moorland landscape that forms the millstone grit, known
as the Dark Peak. These provide for some of the richest
botanical habitats to be found and explored anywhere within
the UK.
Many habitats have developed naturally within the numerous
areas of deciduous woodland, the lengthy river valleys, vast
bleak moorland heaths and spacious open grassland. During its
history, humans have had a huge impact on this landscape in
its search for mineral wealth, consequently many of its
quarries and rakes became disused and nature has again
reclaimed what it once lost. The abundance of flora will
surely delight those who seek pleasure in this aspect of our
truly wild heritage.
Although the town of Buxton itself sits outside the Peak
District National Park, there are no true boundaries where
the rich biodiversity of the areas flora is concerned.
A view across Buxton from Grinlow
The tree line in the foreground is over limestone, whilst the
domed university, formerly the Royal Devonshire Hospital is
built over the gritstone geology.
Monkey flower Mimulus guttatus a flower that's
commonly found growing along the banks of the river Wye, as
it flows through Ashwood Park and beyond.
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The nature of our local flora depends largely upon the
altitude, climate and soil type, the latter reflecting the
underlying geology. The moorland grits give rise to fairly
acidic soils, whereas, the limestone is naturally alkaline in content.
However, there are exceptions to this, as may be seen on the
exposed limestone to the east of the town. Here, there are
many areas over short turf, where acidic plants appear to
thrive along side those more at home on the normally alkaline
soil. Typical of this, and at the head of the dry limestone
valley, known as Cunning Dale, it is quite easy to locate
Tormentil - Potentilla erecta and Bilberry -
Vaccinium myrtillus growing in profusion in certain years.
The moorland hills, to the west of Buxton, provide an insight
into precisely how much the prevailing weather for this area
can be seen to have a marked impact on the growth of plants.
One of our most common flowers of waste and arable land, the
Dandelion - Taraxacum officinale, can be found
thriving on the stunted turf having little, or no stem at
all. This indicates that with the openness and wild bleak
nature of the moorland region, these plants have needed to
adapt if they are to survive under such harsh conditions.
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Just as the acid soils of the grit-stone can be rich in its
plant diversity, the more sheltered limestone valleys play
host to much more luxuriant growth, one where the flora is
not hampered by those harsher conditions met with west of the
town.
The flora around Buxton can offer many exciting little
treasures to those who are willing to search for them. It is
possible to find at least 12 of our wonderful native Orchid
species. Many Violets also grow in this area, and one of
them, the Mountain Pansy -Viola lutea, makes for a
truly exciting discovery on both lime and gritstone
grassland.
There are also many fascinating species of Reed, Sedge and
grasses throughout the whole area, and are well worth looking
for. Notably Yorkshire Fog and Quaking grass.
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Lesser Celandine, a bright harbinger of spring is always a
welcome sight, especially when seen growing beside woodland
areas and parks in and around Buxton.
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Garden Arabis is a locally scarce plant and
yet it is found growing freely on walls and limestone
outcrops. Some specimens may be seen on the retaining walls
beside the river on the entrance to Morrison's car park
during early summer.
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Melancholy thistle Cirsium
heterophyllum another lovely, yet locally scarce plant of
our dry limestone dales. The humble bee Bombus lucorum
is seen gathering pollen on the head of this flower.
Spear Thistle
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