Bear, Oveys and Great Bottom Woods facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 64.1 hectares (158 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Bear, Oveys and Great Bottom Woods is a special natural area located west of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, England. It covers about 64.1 hectares, which is roughly the size of 158 football fields! This beautiful area is officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its amazing plants and wildlife.
What Makes These Woods Special?
Bear, Oveys and Great Bottom Woods are mostly made up of beech woodland. Beech trees are tall and majestic, creating a lovely canopy that shades the forest floor. What makes these woods truly unique is the incredible variety of plants that grow beneath these trees. Scientists have found more than 40 different types of ground flora here!
Why is it a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)?
A Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI, is a protected area in the UK. It means that the land is very important for its wildlife, plants, or geology. These places are carefully looked after to make sure their special features are preserved for the future. Bear, Oveys and Great Bottom Woods became an SSSI in 1986 because of its rich plant life, which is typical of very old woodlands in southern Britain.
Amazing Plants You Can Find
The plants growing on the ground in these woods are often called "ancient woodland indicator species." This means their presence suggests the woodland has been around for a very long time without being cleared. Some of the cool plants you might spot here include:
- Broad-leaved helleborine: A type of orchid with green or purplish flowers.
- Southern wood-rush: A grass-like plant that often grows in shady, damp places.
- Yellow archangel: A plant with bright yellow flowers that looks a bit like a nettle but doesn't sting.
- Enchanter's nightshade: A delicate plant with small white or pinkish flowers.
- Goldilocks buttercup: A pretty yellow flower, similar to other buttercups.
- Woodruff: Also known as sweetscented bedstraw, this plant has small white flowers and a lovely scent, especially when dried.
- The moss Leucobryum glaucum: A distinctive, pale green moss that forms cushion-like clumps on the forest floor.
These plants thrive in the specific conditions of a beech woodland, making Bear, Oveys and Great Bottom Woods a vital habitat for them. Protecting this area helps ensure these beautiful and important species continue to flourish.
