The commoner of the species-rich hay meadow types in Wales typically comprises an abundance of neutral grassland indicators such as bird’s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and common knapweed (Centaurea nigra), well supported by other common associates including yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and common sorrel (Rumex acetosa). The better meadows would also support some of the less common species such as Dyer’s greenweed (Genista tinctoria) or greater butterfly orchid (Platanthera chlorantha) and show few indications of eutrophication, with rye grass (Lolium perennne), white clover (Trifolium repens) and other eutrophic indicators rare or absent.
