Blean Woods - Wildlife Plants

The heavy clay and acidic soils of the Blean support a distinctive plant community. The most common tree species include Oak,Hornbeam and Sweet chestnut. Scrubs include hawthorn and hazel and flowers include common cow-wheat, bluebells, wood anemones butchers broom and woodrushes.

Large areas of the Blean are thought to be ancient woodland. This term means that the wood is thought to have been in existence since 1600 if not earlier. Ancient woodlands are especially important for conservation because many woodland plants and animals can not survive in newly planted woods. There are a number of species whose presence indicate that an area is an ancient wood. Indicator species in the Blean include the Wild Service Tree.
The Wild Service tree - Sorbus torminalis

The Wild service tree has leaves which are similar to the Maple. It is a meduium sized tree found only in ancient woods and hedgerows. In Kent is is most common in the Weald and the Blean Woods.
Mabey writes;" For much of the year a mature service tree is an inconspiciuos tree, a little like a maple in habit and leaf shape, and with dark, red-tinged bark that is sometimes cracked, like mud baked in the sun. But for two brief spells it can be spectacular. In May it is covered with white blossom,almost as thickly as Hawthorn. From late October, after the Brown fruits have set, the leaves on many of the trees turns a brilliant red tinged with copper and ochre."
Common Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense);

Common Cow-wheat is found at the edges of wide pathways (rides) and in the open coppice areas. It is an important species of the Blean because the caterpillars of the rare heath Fritillary butterfly feed on it. These butterflies are only found in one other place in Britain!
Bluebells and Wood Anemones;

Carpets of Bluebells and Anemones are one of the most spectacular displays of wild flowers to be found in England if not Europe. Although in this country we think of Bluebells as common they are not so widespread in the rest of Europe. The United Kingdom has more than 20% of the world population.