Ballyknock ASSI

Ballyknock represents a series of field units containing a variety of semi-natural grassland types. Such species-rich grasslands are a particularly rare resource in Northern Ireland. Ballyknock is particularly important because of the extent of a particular grassland type known as ‘Fen Meadow’.

Fen meadow swards are grass dominated with Red Fescue Festuca rubra, Purple Moor-grass Molinia caerulea and Yorkshire-Fog Holcus lanatus. Typical herbs include Meadow Thistle Cirsium dissectum, Devil’s-bit Scabious Succisa pratensis and the orchids Greater Butterfly-orchid Platanthera chlorantha, Lesser Butterfly-orchid P. bifolia and Twayblade Listera ovata. Localised flushing creates particularly rich swards. Sedges Carex spp. are abundant with Butterwort Pinguicula vulgaris, Marsh Arrow Grass Triglochin palustris and Marsh Hawk’s-beard Crepis paludosa.

Locally, where soils are thin and well-drained, species typical of dry grassland are found. Common Bent Agrostis capillaris and Sweet Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratum typically dominate. Locally species suggestive of more calcareous soil conditions occur, including Fairy Flax Linum catharticum, Spring Sedge Carex caryophyllea and the notable Mountain Everlasting Antennaria dioica.