West's Meadow, Aldermaston facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1.2 hectares (3.0 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
West's Meadow, Aldermaston is a special place in Berkshire, England. It's about the size of two football fields, covering 1.2 hectares (or about 3 acres). This meadow is so important for nature that it's been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because of its unique plants and wildlife.
The meadow has two main fields surrounded by natural fences called hedgerows, and a small stream runs nearby. For a long time, since the 1950s, animals have grazed here, which helps keep the meadow healthy.
It's important to know that West's Meadow is private land, so people can't visit it.
Amazing Plants of West's Meadow
West's Meadow is home to many different kinds of plants. These plants help make the meadow a special place for insects and other small creatures.
Tall Trees and Shrubs
You can find several types of trees and bushes growing here:
- Oak trees
- Hawthorn bushes
- Holly bushes
- Rowan trees
- Hazel bushes
- Willow trees
- Elm trees (specifically Ulmus procera)
- Wild Cherry (Prunus avium)
- Crabapple (Malus sylvestris)
- Gorse bushes
- Broom bushes
Wonderful Wildflowers and Grasses
The meadow is also filled with many interesting wildflowers and grasses. Here are some of them:
- Danthonia decumbens (a type of grass)
- Vulpia bromoides (another grass)
- Common eyebright (Euphrasia nemorosa)
- Polygala serpyllifolia (a small flower)
- Spiny Restharrow (Ononis spinosa)
- Betony (Stachys officinalis)
- Bitter-vetch (Lathyrus montanus)
- Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata)
- Sneezewort (Achillea ptarmica)
- Devil's-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis)
- Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
- Lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica)
- Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis)
- Meadow Thistle (Cirsium dissectum)
- Isolepis setacea (a type of rush)
- Marsh Speedwell (Veronica scutellata)
- Marsh Pennywort (Hydrocotyle vulgaris)
- Ragged-Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)
- Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis)
- Red Fescue (Festuca rubra)
- Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus)
- Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)
- Dicranum bonjeanii (a type of moss)
- Water-starwort (a water plant)
- Celery-leaved Buttercup (Ranunculus sceleratus)
