Caeau Pant-y-Bryn facts for kids

Caeau Pant-y-Bryn is a special place in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it is a protected area because of its unique plants and natural features.

What is an SSSI?

An SSSI is a place that is very important for its plants, animals, or geology. The government protects these areas to make sure they stay healthy. Caeau Pant-y-Bryn became an SSSI in 1990.

Where is Caeau Pant-y-Bryn?

This special area is about 1 mile (1.6 km) north-west of a town called Glanaman. It covers about 8.2 hectares, which is roughly the size of 11 football fields. The Mountain Road, which goes from Glanaman to Coed Llandyfan, runs along its north-east side.

Why is This Place Special?

Caeau Pant-y-Bryn has five fields that are very rare today. These fields have not been changed much by farming. They are still grazed by ponies, just like fields used to be in this area a long time ago.

The ground here is made of old rocks like sandstone and quartzite. On top of these rocks is a type of clay left behind by ancient glaciers.

Amazing Plants

The most important part of Caeau Pant-y-Bryn is its "fen-meadow." This is a wet, grassy area that is home to many special plants. You can find a lot of:

• Purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea)
• Meadow thistle (Cirsium dissectum)

Many other interesting plants also grow here, including different types of sedges:

• Carnation sedge (Carex panicea)
• Tawny sedge (Carex hostiana)
• Flea sedge (Carex pulicaris)

You can also spot various rushes and other wildflowers:

• Compact rush (Juncus conglomeratus)
• Sharp-flowered rush (Juncus acutiflorus)
• Whorled caraway
• Devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis)
• Tormentil (Potentilla erecta)

These plants make Caeau Pant-y-Bryn a truly unique and important place for nature in Wales.