SD16: Salix repens-Holcus lanatus dune-slack community

Summary

Synonymy

Braunton Damp Pasture Willis et al. 1959; Salix repens-Holcus lanatus nodum Jones 1992; Festuca rubra-Brachythecium rutabulum nodum Jones 1992.

Constant species

Carex flacca, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lotus corniculatus, Salix repens.

Physiognomy

In the Salix repens-Holcus lanatus dune-slack community, Salix repens is generally dominant in a bushy canopy that can be several decimetres tall. Its most frequent associates are Holcus lanatus and Festuca rubra, the abundance of which often give a rank grassy aspect to the sward among the willow. Agrostis stolonifera and Poa pratensis are at least occasional throughout but also common among the associates are Carex flacca and a range of dicotyledonous herbs including Lotus corniculatus, Euphrasia officinalis agg., Hieracium pilosella, Senecio jacobaea, Prunella vulgaris, Leontodon autumnalis and Epipactis palustris. Ononis repens is also quite frequent overall but rather patchy in its representation among the various sub-communities and not consistently abundant.

Bryophytes are not typically a prominent element in the vegetation but Bryum pseudotriquetrum is occasional and there is sometimes patchily prominent Calliergon cuspidatum and Campylium stellatum.

Sub-communities

Ononis repens sub-community. Ononis repens is at its most frequent and abundant here with preferentially common Carex arenaria, Hypochoeris radicata and Galium verum. Young shrubs and trees are quite frequent too, with bushes or saplings of Salix caprea, Betula pubescens and Quercus robur.

Rubus caesius sub-community. O. repens and saplings of the above woody species remain occasional to sparse here but Rubus caesius is constant with occasional Potent illa anserina.