Grasses, Sedges and Rushes

The Yorkshire Dales, and Malham Tarn in particular, is an excellent area to study grasses, sedges and rushes. Local habitats include heather moorland, limestone grassland, ash and oak woodland, high altitude fens and calcareous flushes. There are even arctic-alpine species which used to thrive when conditions were much colder, and now only survive in a few sites. One third of the c.107 British members of the sedge family (Cyperaceae) can be seen within walking distance of the Field Centre.

The course will concentrate on learning how to use keys to help recognise the species, and on seeing the plants in their habitats.

The course will include:
· An introduction to and practice in recognition of the more common grasses, sedges and rushes.
· An introduction to flowering parts and vegetative characters helpful in identification of these plants, and examination of these under a microscope.
· Use of keys.
· Expeditions through the beautiful Craven countryside to many different habitats to find the more unusual grasses, sedges and rushes.

A significant amount of time will be spent studying grasses, sedges and rushes in their vegetative state. Once you can recognise a plant by its leaves you can recognise whether it flowers or not. The AIDGAP Key to Grasses (by Pankhurst and Allinson) will be introduced and used on the course.

Malham Tarn NNR is designated a Grade 1 SSSI by English Nature. At least one day will be spent studying this internationally famous site with its calcareous mire, fen and willow carr, raised bog, calcareous grassland and limestone pavement.

Judith Allinson, formerly a full-time tutor at Malham Tarn, is an experienced course leader. She is co-author of the AIDGAP Key to Grasses, and has carried out botanical survey work for Natural England.

Further Information

This course is now historical and therefore no bookings can be taken.