The combination of habitats at Tuckmill gives rise to a wide variety of flora which, in turn, support a huge number of fauna. To the north-west is Tuckmill's meadow, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because its calcarious habitat is very unusual in the region with some unusual species living there. The other SSSI is the fenland at the base of the site. This marshland provides a wonderful environment for the reserve's most stunning plant, the Southern Marsh Orchid as well as the unusual Ragged Robin and Adder’s Tongue Fern.
SOUTHERN MARSH ORCHIDS
UPDATE - SEASON 2023
After much preparation by Friends of Tuckmill volunteers, the orchid season of 2023 began with a large number of rosettes appearing in late April and early May. In late May and early June, huge numbers of Southern Marsh Orchids appeared in both the west and east meadows, triple the number from the previous year.
UPDATE - SEASON 2023
After much preparation by Friends of Tuckmill volunteers, the orchid season of 2023 began with a large number of rosettes appearing in late April and early May. In late May and early June, huge numbers of Southern Marsh Orchids appeared in both the west and east meadows, triple the number from the previous year.
YELLOW FLAG IRIS (Iris pseudacorus)
On the course of the old brook in the north part of Tuckmill Meadows, a bright green clump containing large, strikingly yellow flowers came to prominence in 2022. The flowers are of the Yellow Flag Iris, so called because it prefers to grow in shallow marshy areas and 'flags up' where it is shallow and safer to cross by foot.
They are also associate with the Fleur-di-Lis that is a regular feature within British heraldry. They grow rapidly and area therefore classed as invasive but can be controlled by vigorous cutting. They prefer full sun and are particularly favoured by flying insects for resting and sheltering. Neil B Maw
They are also associate with the Fleur-di-Lis that is a regular feature within British heraldry. They grow rapidly and area therefore classed as invasive but can be controlled by vigorous cutting. They prefer full sun and are particularly favoured by flying insects for resting and sheltering. Neil B Maw
JACK-GO-TO-BED-AT-NOON (xxxx)
This is a favourite flower because, during its life cycle, it is pretty, attracts insects, has sculptural elegance and displays a huge, fluffy seed globe. Looking like a very lanky dandelion which closes every day at noon, it likes meadows and there are many specimens in Tuckmill. Other names are Meadow Goat's Beard, Meadow Salsify and Noonflower. Be sure to see the flowers before midday!
copy: Nan Pratt photos: (L) Naturespot, Graham Callow Sapcote, Leics & Rutland Wildlife Recording; (R) Nan Pratt, Tuckmill 13.07.22
copy: Nan Pratt photos: (L) Naturespot, Graham Callow Sapcote, Leics & Rutland Wildlife Recording; (R) Nan Pratt, Tuckmill 13.07.22
LADY'S BEDSTRAW (Galium verum)
June 2022 saw many patches of this plant - one of the many varieties of Galium - appearing all over the west meadow. In the summer it can carpet meadows and fill the air with a sweet, honey-like scent. Its name is probably derived from the tradition of stuffing straw mattresses with it, particularly those of women about to give birth. The plant was also used historically in the production of cheese, a method now lost. NBM
June 2022 saw many patches of this plant - one of the many varieties of Galium - appearing all over the west meadow. In the summer it can carpet meadows and fill the air with a sweet, honey-like scent. Its name is probably derived from the tradition of stuffing straw mattresses with it, particularly those of women about to give birth. The plant was also used historically in the production of cheese, a method now lost. NBM
JURY OUT ON BLUEBELLS
Mid April often sees the appearance of bluebells in Ratcoombe Copse - unfortunately the Spanish hybrids (Hyacinthoides hispanica) rather than the native species (Hyacinthoides non-scripta). The Spanish bluebells were apparently introduced to this country during the Victorian era and were destined for domestic gardens but some have obviously escaped. Some say they should be removed, so they don't dilute the English native stock, while others feel they are really nice to see adding a splash of early spring colour to the copse. The jury is out as to whether they should be left or removed!
MARSH MARIGOLDS (Caltha palustris)
FoT's work has made a big impact on the fauna and flora and, instead of being a tangled, overgrown mess, much of the ground has seen the light for the first time in several years. Marsh Marigolds - or, if you prefer, King Cups - have appeared in huge masses, far more than anyone can remember. Many of the areas that were scythed have now been taken over by King Cups as well as areas where there used to be a mass of reeds. A similar change was seen on the west meadow, with a huge contrast between where it had been scythed, awash with flowers, and a second area - just a few metres away - where it was still a tangled mass with very little colour. NBM May 2022
FoT's work has made a big impact on the fauna and flora and, instead of being a tangled, overgrown mess, much of the ground has seen the light for the first time in several years. Marsh Marigolds - or, if you prefer, King Cups - have appeared in huge masses, far more than anyone can remember. Many of the areas that were scythed have now been taken over by King Cups as well as areas where there used to be a mass of reeds. A similar change was seen on the west meadow, with a huge contrast between where it had been scythed, awash with flowers, and a second area - just a few metres away - where it was still a tangled mass with very little colour. NBM May 2022
WELCOME TO THE LESSER CELANDINE (Ficaria verna)
One of the earliest flowers to appear on Tuckmill Meadow is the Lesser Celandine. They generally start to appear around 21st February and give a welcome dash of colour to the gloom of winter. The appearance of the little flower is also true to the notes of the naturalist Gilbert White who, at the end of the 18th century, wrote about their appearance in his Hampshire village on that exact date. Hence the 21st February is known as 'Celandine Day'. It was also a favourite of the poet William Wordsworth who wrote, "There's a flower that shall be mine, 'Tis the little Celandine".
The Lesser Celandine is a member of the buttercup family and like the buttercup its bloom is bright yellow. Celandine flowers are star-shaped with rosettes of glossy dark green, long stalked leaves. They appear in several places on the reserve, the largest clusters being at the top end of the marsh meadow just down from the car park.
The Lesser Celandine is a member of the buttercup family and like the buttercup its bloom is bright yellow. Celandine flowers are star-shaped with rosettes of glossy dark green, long stalked leaves. They appear in several places on the reserve, the largest clusters being at the top end of the marsh meadow just down from the car park.
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The Lesser Celandine is a member of the buttercup family and like the buttercup its bloom is bright yellow. Celandine flowers are star-shaped with rosettes of glossy dark green, long stalked leaves. They appear in several places on the reserve, the largest clusters being at the top end of the marsh meadow just down from the car park.
As one of the first flowers to appear after winter, lesser celandines provide an important nectar source for queen bumblebees and other pollinators emerging from hibernations, as well as other early insects. Its appearance in late February, around the same time that swallows usually arrive, has given the flower its name - chelidonia being the Latin name for swallow. |
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It was once thought that you could use lesser celandines to predict the weather as they close their petals before rain. The leaves are high in vitamin C and have been used to prevent scurvy. As its common names - 'Pilewort' and 'Figwort' - suggest, celandine root was used as a haemarrhoid treatment and an ointment of the roots was said to cure corns and worts.