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If we explore the geology that forms the
underlying rock strata in and around Buxton, it will help to
explain and understand just why it is that we can find
certain plants growing in particular areas around the town,
and yet not in others.
Our first diagram shows the relationship between the
two very distinct rock formations and their approximate
boundary with each other. The Limestone geology tends to lie
on the east and south-eastern side of Buxton, whereas, the
Gritstone is to the west. Only within the town itself, does
this boundary veer off from its normal east/west divide.
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Diagram 2 shows the relationship between the rock
types and their position, not only for Buxton, but also the
many surrounding villages.
As already mentioned previously elsewhere, each rock type
normally produces its own unique form of plant life. The
gritstone presents us with acid loving plants, whereas, the
limestone has a by far greater plant diversity thriving on
alkaline soils.
To explore the areas where this difference between the plant
types are shown at their very best, it's recommended that you
visit the following locations :
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| Lightwood & the area around the reservoir.
Gritstone.
Here we shall find gritstone flora at its best. The small
moorland streams that feed the reservoir are fairly shallow,
and yet at the same time they are quite deeply cut into the
natural rock. Within these water courses, we can find such
plants as Ranunculus flammula Lesser Spearwort,
Juncus effusus Soft Rush and Polypodium vulgareCommon Polypody.
On the open ground, the marshy area contains Lychnis
flos-cuculi ragged Robin, Galium palustre Marsh
Bedstraw, Viola lutea Mountain Pansy, Galium
saxatile Heath Bedstraw, Cardamine pratense Cuckoo
Flower, Potentilla erecta Common Tormentil, Linum
cathcarticum White Flax, Digitalis purpurea
Foxglove and many others.
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Western Gorse |
Corbar Woods and Hill.
Gritstone.
Mixed woodland and heath can be seen at this lovely location
that once contained a series of officially maintained
pathways. The flora here is very rich, and the visitor is
sure to be rewarded with many fine species.
Included are, Veronica officinalis Common Speedwell,
Lysimachia nemorum Yellow Pimpernel, Geum
urbanum Wood Avens, Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel,
Saxifraga umbrosa London Pride, Deschampsia
flexuosa Wavy Hair Grass, Nardus stricta Mat
Grass, Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's Nightshade,
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell. This area also
includes many of those plants listed at Lightwood.
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Cunning Dale a dry valley on Limestone.
This is a very special locality, one that
has rightfully earned itself an SSSI ( special site of
scientific interest ) status in recent years.
Plant-wise, this is one of the richest botanical areas to be
found around Buxton, one that is particularly noteworthy.
What this valley loses in visual impact, for there is nothing
spectacular in the way it looks to the eye, it more than
makes up for in the extremely rich plant diversity that it
holds.
Wood Anemone
H perforatum Common St John's-wort,
Geranium sanguineum Bloody-cranesbill, G
rotundifolium Round-leaved Cranesbill, G lucidum
Shining Cranesbill, G robertianum Herb Robert.
Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel, Parnassia
palustris Grass of Parnassus and hundreds more that
include many Marsh Orchids, Early Purple and Heath Orchids,
Bedstraws, Potentillas, Carex, Thistles, Veronicas, Grasses
and so on...
Dandelion clock
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If there is one place in particular, where
it can be said to be perfect for the study of plants, then it
is here in this dale. Some of the beautiful plants that may
be found at various times of the year, are as follows,
Ranunculus ficaria Lesser Celandine, Trollius
europaeus Globe Flower, Helleborus viridis Green
Hellebore, Meconopsis cambrica Welsh Poppy
Erophila verna Whitlow Grass, Hesperis
matronalis Dame's Violet, Polygala vulgaris Common
Milkwort, Heliathemum chamaecistus Rockrose, Viola
odorata Sweet Violet, V hirta Hairy Violet, V
riviniana Common Violet, V canina Dog Violet,
Viola lutea Mountain Pansy, Silene dioica Red
Campion, Hypericum pulchrum Slender St John's-wort,
H montanum Mountain St John's-wort.
Buxton sports one of the very best plant
hunting areas in the UK. Should anyone be considering a
botanical holiday in this region, and you'd like to know more
about what there is to see, or places to visit. Then please
don't hesitate to get in touch. We're here to help in any way
that we can.
Remember : you don't have to be a botanist
in order to enjoy our wild flowers. The Peak District and
Buxton have some of the most stunningly beautiful scenery to
be found anywhere in this country. There are quiet surprising
little corners, each tucked away from the usual sight and
sounds of traffic. Secret places that are guaranteed to offer
peace and tranquility. Oh yes! and don't forget to bring a
camera with you. Memories tend to fade, but a photograph with
last forever...
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