A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis - Scottish Natural Heritage

Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 090 (ROAME No. F02LD01)
There can be small quantities of Vaccinium myrtillus, too. Myrica gale does not generally grow in this type
of M17, but many of the smaller species are common, for example Potentilla erecta, Drosera rotundifolia,
Narthecium ossifragum and Succisa pratensis. In the bryophyte layer, Sphagnum papillosum and
S. capillifolium are joined by Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum and
Hylocomium splendens; species more characteristic of the drier peats of Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19.
M19a Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Erica tetralix sub-community
This is the most common type of Calluna-Eriophorum bog in the oceanic climate of the west Highlands,
and its flora has much in common with that of the oceanic Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17. However,
all the types of M19 bog are easy to pick out because of their distinctive dark, tussocky swards made up
of almost equal amounts of Eriophorum vaginatum and Calluna vulgaris. The dark green leaves of
Eriophorum angustifolium spike up through the sward, and there is a green speckling of Vaccinium myrtillus
and, in some examples, of Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum. In M19a this flora is augmented by species such
as Erica tetralix, Molinia caerulea, Trichophorum cespitosum, Narthecium ossifragum and Potentilla erecta.
Under the sward the peat is firm and fibrous, and is clothed with a deep layer of bryophytes including
Sphagnum capillifolium, Rhytididadelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Plagiothecium
undulatum and Hylocomium splendens. The diminutive orchid Listera cordata can be found rooted into the
layer of bryophytes under the shelter of the Calluna bushes. M19a occurs throughout the study area at
moderate altitudes. It is especially extensive around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe and in Coire Dubh just to the
north. It also occurs in Coire Giubhsachan and in the Lairig Leacach.
M19c Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Hylocomium
splendens sub-community
M19c takes in the more montane forms of Calluna-Eriophorum mire and is characteristic of damp, fibrous,
deep peat at high altitudes. Like M19a it has a mixed, tussocky, dark-green and dark purple-brown sward
of Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum, with much Vaccinium myrtillus and Eriophorum angustifolium.
Here, though, the sward is short and more varied, with Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum (ssp.
hermaphroditum as well as ssp. nigrum), Juncus squarrosus and Melampyrum pratense. The so-called peat
alpines Cornus suecica, Rubus chamaemorus and Vaccinium uliginosum can be plentiful, and M19c is
another characteristic habitat for Listera cordata. There is a sprinkling of small plants such as Potentilla erecta,
Luzula sylvatica and Deschampsia flexuosa. Under the sward is a deep, richly-coloured quilt of bryophytes
in which Sphagnum capillifolium and Hylocomium splendens are generally the two most common species.
There is also plenty of Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Racomitrium lanuginosum.
The liverworts Mylia taylorii and Ptilidium ciliare grow in colourful clumps, and there is a white freckling of
lichens such as Cladonia portentosa, C. uncialis and, at higher altitudes, Cetraria islandica. The largest
extent of M19c in the study area is around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, but it also occurs on the level floors
of corries such as Coire a’ Bhuic, Coire na Ceannain and Cùl Choirean, as well as on peat-clad benches
and plateaux throughout the study area.
M23a Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community
These herb-rich rush mires occur in patches on the low ground in Glen Nevis, and also at the northern end
of Coire an Eòin. They have a tall, dark-green sward of Juncus acutiflorus, interleaved with J. effusus, Carex
nigra and C. echinata and with grasses such as Molinia caerulea, Holcus lanatus, Anthoxanthum odoratum
and Agrostis canina. Among these plants is a lush, flowery assemblage of mesotrophic herbs such as
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