Glenariff Glen ASSI

Glenariff Glen has been declared an ASSI because of the rare plants, mosses and liverworts found on the site. The glen forms a steep-sided valley around the Glenariff River and is shaded by the surrounding woodland, providing a cool, humid environment. In some places, the valley sides are so steep that there is little or no soil present. The rock faces are often dripping in water from flushes at the top of the ravine, providing an ideal habitat for mosses and liverworts, which often form a luxuriant carpet on the walls of the glen.

There are a number of waterfalls in the glen. The extensive spray-zone around the largest waterfall, Ess-na-Larach is particularly important for rare mosses and liverworts, having the only known population of Ragged Notchwort in Ireland and the only known existing population of Rigid Apple-moss in Northern Ireland. Other important mosses and liverworts found in Glenariff Glen include Slender Silver-moss, Bordered Thyme-moss and Yellowish Fork-moss and Hutchins’ Hollywort and Lesser Rough Earwort.

The glen is densely wooded, with both semi-natural woodland and planted woodland, the latter consisting of Beech and conifers. Semi-natural woodland occurs in places along the river – most notably on the eastern bank where it is fairly extensive and is dominated by Ash, Goat Willow and Hazel. Close to the river, there are occasional Elm trees and non-native Sycamore, with Holly and Rowan in the shrub layer.

The woodland ground flora is often dominated by Ramsons, Bluebell, Wood Sorrel, Wood Anemone and Lesser Celandine, with Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage often abundant in wetter areas. Other woodland species include Common Dog-violet, Barren Strawberry, Lords-and-Ladies, Primrose, Woodruff, Wood-sedge, Bugle, Hedge Woundwort, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Sanicle, Barren Strawberry and Wood Avens.

Rocky ledges often support grasses such as Wood Melick and Wood Fescue, as well as ferns such as Maidenhair Spleenwort and Hart’s-tongue Fern. Rare and scarce plants include Common Wintergreen and Intermediate Wintergreen, with Beech Fern on rock ledges and steep rock faces.