What type of meadow do I have?

Different types of grassland are species-rich and not all of them have lots of flowers.

Plants are used as indicators of grassland quality.  To identify whether your meadow or grassland is species-rich use our Grassland Plant Identification Guide and then choose the relevant habitat to find out more about the type of grassland you have.  Don't forget to have a look at the information on waxcap fungi - these colourful mushrooms only fruit during the autumn and are easy to overlook when identifying your grassland at other times of the year.

Once you have identified the type of species-rich grassland you have, it is important that you manage it in a suitable way to maintain the range of plants and wildlife that live there.  Look at the How Can I Manage My Meadow section to find out more about how to do this.

If the common grassland plants shown in our Identification Guide are not present in your grassland then it may not be species-rich.   However, it is possible that you could restore or recreate a species-rich grassland on your land.  To find out more about whether you could do this have a look at Is My Land Suitable for Restoring or Creating a Meadow.

If you want some help about where to go next please see the flow-chart for the advice and guidance section.

How to identify different types of grassland

Keys to help identify the different types of species-rich grassland

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Acid Grassland

A guide to acid grassland.

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Neutral Grassland

A guide to neutral grassland.

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Calcareous Grassland

A guide to calcareous grassland.

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Waxcap Grassland

A guide to waxcap grassland.

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Cornfield Flowers

Cornfield flowers are annual plants of arable fields, but may be used in the first year of meadow restorations

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Case study: Ardtole

Coastal grassland and neutral hay meadow in Northern Ireland

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Case study: Rhos Cwmsaeson

Purple moor-grass and rush pasture (rhos pasture) in Wales

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Case study: The Bug Farm

Wild flower meadows and purple moor-grass and rush pasture (rhos pasture) in Wales

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Case study: Ynys Lochtyn

Maritime grassland at Ynys Lochtyn in Wales

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