Wild Flowers

Flora of Buxton II
Introduction to the local geology

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.

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 :

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 vulgare Common 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.

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.

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.

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...

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...