Levallymore ASSI

Levallymore is a series of fields with species-rich grassland communities rich in old meadow indicators. It is particularly important because of the extent of species-rich dry grassland present on the site and the presence of some locally notable plant species. Species-rich dry grassland is a particularly rare resource in NI and is usually not found in larger field parcels. Levallymore is the largest area of species-rich dry grassland located during two years of Phase I survey in this area of South Armagh.

The grassland communities at Levallymore range from moderately species-rich swards to areas with abundant orchids and herbs. Swards all tend to be grass dominated with frequent common bent, crested dog's-tail and sweet vernal-grass. Associated meadow species include herbs such as eyebright and common bird's-foot trefoil. More species-rich swards contain many meadow indicators such as yellow-rattle, eyebright, common knapweed, pill sedge and greater bird's-foot trefoil.

In addition, Levallymore is notable for the collection and relative abundance of the hemiparasitic species ( a plant that is parasitic under natural conditions and is also photosynthetic to some degree ) eyebright, yellow-rattle and lousewort The orchids greater butterfly-orchid and spotted-orchids are abundant in places. Field scabious, field gentian and the grassland fungus Hygrocybe intermedia are all notable.