Roeveagh has been declared as an ASSI because of its species-rich wet grassland. Species-rich grassland tends to occur only where traditional farming practices have been maintained. Such species-rich grassland is now a rare habitat in Northern Ireland.
A special type of species-rich wet grassland known as Purple Moor-grass and rush pasture occurs over much of the site. Fen meadow, a particular type of Purple Moor-grass and rush pasture, occurs on the slopes where there is a steady water flow through the soil.
Plants characteristic of this community include Sharp-flowered Rush, Meadow Thistle, Tawny Sedge, Flea Sedge, Common Spotted-orchid, Common Twayblade, Devil’s-bit Scabious and the mosses Glittering Wood-moss and Neat Feather-moss.
Where the field levels out towards the top of the hill, species typical of wet heath are found alongside the rush pasture vegetation in these areas. Plants associated with this area include Heather, Bog-myrtle, Common Cottongrass and Cross-leaved Heath.
In addition to these habitats Roeveagh is also an important site for the Marsh Fritillary butterfly. The wet grasslands and wet heaths support large quantities of Devil’s-bit Scabious which is the larval foodplant for the Marsh Fritillary.
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