Stow-Cum-Quy Fen facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Cambridgeshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 29.9 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Stow-Cum-Quy Fen is a special natural area in Cambridgeshire, England. It is located west of a village called Lode. This area is 29.9 hectares, which is about the size of 74 football fields! It's protected because it's home to many interesting plants.
Most of Stow-Cum-Quy Fen is known as common land. This means that historically, local people had rights to use the land for things like grazing animals. Today, it is mainly looked after for its wildlife.
Contents
Stow-Cum-Quy Fen: A Special Place for Nature
Stow-Cum-Quy Fen is officially called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This is a special title given to places in the UK that are important for their wildlife, geology, or landforms. The government protects these areas to make sure their unique features are preserved for the future.
Why is This Fen So Special?
Stow-Cum-Quy Fen is special because of its unique soil and water. The ground is made of a type of soil called calcareous loam pasture. This means the soil has a lot of calcium in it, which is good for certain kinds of plants. The area also has open pools of water. These pools are home to some very rare water plants.
Amazing Plants You Can Find Here
The fen has a wide variety of plants, both in its grassy areas and in its pools.
- Purging Flax: This is a small, delicate plant with tiny white flowers. It often grows in grassy areas with lime-rich soil.
- Salad Burnet: You might recognize this plant by its round, reddish-purple flower heads. Its leaves have a fresh, cucumber-like smell.
- Unbranched Bur-reed: This plant grows in the water and has long, narrow leaves that float. It gets its name from its spiky, bur-like seed heads.
- Mare's Tail: This aquatic plant looks a bit like a miniature fir tree growing in the water. It can grow both submerged and above the water's surface.
- Bladderwort: This is a truly fascinating plant! It's a carnivorous plant that lives in water. It has tiny "bladders" that suck in small water creatures like insects, which it then eats.
Visiting Stow-Cum-Quy Fen
If you want to explore this special natural area, you can access it by footpaths. These paths lead from the nearby villages of Lode and Horningsea. It's a great place to see unique plants and enjoy nature.
