Hollymount ASSI

Protected area type: Areas of Special Scientific Interest
Feature type: 
  • Species
County: 
  • Down
Council: Newry, Mourne and Down
Guidance and literature: Hollymount ASSI

Hollymount represents an area of well-developed, swamp carr woodland dominated by mature alder and grey willow. Reed canary-grass and the greater pond-sedge dominate the ground flora with tussock sedge also very conspicuous. Trees are encrusted with a luxuriant growth of lichens, and bracket fungi are frequent on the many dead branches and trunks.

Within the swamp woodland, fluctuating water-filled ditches represent the principal site for water violet in Northern Ireland.

An adjacent wooded drumlin exhibits a natural transition from wet alder dominated wood to a dry oak wood with a mixed ground flora of bluebell , wild garlic and ferns.

Associated semi-natural habitat within Hollymount is largely fen. Common reed and creeping bent dominate along with reed canary-grass and associated species such as yellow iris.

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