Monmouthshire Meadows Group was founded in 2003, to assist owners of small fields to manage these for the benefit of plants, insects and other wildlife. To do this, we have a small team of volunteer botanists. We offer each new member a visit to survey their land, and to give advice on land management and plant identification.
In 2011, a grant from Environment Wales enabled re-surveys of many of the sites managed by MMG members at the time. 120 sites were resurveyed; and the results were published here (pdf) and in Welsh here (pdf). At the time it was thought that there were less than 2000 hectares (around 5000 acres) of semi-natural grassland left in Monmouthshire. Members’ land probably accounted for around 10% of that total.
Now, in June 2026, MMG has over 300 members, whose grasslands cover around 2400 acres; a significant proportion of total grassland in Monmouthshire! Many of these sites have been identified as being of special conservation interest, and have been designated as Local Wildlife Sites by by a panel comprising Gwent Wildlife Trust, Monmouthshire County Council, Natural Resources Wales and Monmouthshire Meadows Group.
The 2011 Biodiversity report noted the predominant grassland types and species found in Monmouthshire at the time, and which remain prevalent:
Semi-improved neutral grassland (with a soil pH 5.5 to 7.0)
This is the classic Monmouthshire grassland overlying Old Red Sandstone, with fine grasses - Crested Dog’s-Tail (Cynosurus cristatus), Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) and Sweet Vernal Grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum) - and very little rye grass (Lolium perenne).
Indicator species of flowering plants include Black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) and Meadow Vetchling (Lathyrus pratensis). Our leaflet of indicator species demonstrates 16 of the most common flowering indicator species in Monmouthshire neutral grassland. These grasslands may be managed as pasture or as hay meadows. In hay meadows, Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) – a pioneer species - and Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus minor) – an annual - may also be present.
Orchids seen may include Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsia), Heath-Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculate), Green-winged orchid (Orchis morio) Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha), and Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii). However, in some such grassland there may be calcareous or more acidic influences so lime-loving (calcicoles) and lime-hating (calcifuges) plants can occur.
Neutral Grassland by Hannah Beal
Marshy grassland
Rushes (Juncus species) will be abundant along with Bentgrass (Agrostis species), Sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), Red Fescue (Festuca rubra) and Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus) and often Marsh Foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus) along with various sedges.
Flowering plants including Marsh Willowherb (Epilobium palustre), Marsh Bedstraw (Galium palustre), Greater Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), Water Mint (Mentha aquatica), Lesser Spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) and Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria). Ragged Robin (Silene flos-cuculi) is a bonus.
Orchids may include Southern Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) and the Heath-Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata).
Ragged Robin by Sally Jones
Acid Grassland
Species found included Heath Grass (Danthonia decumbens), Vernal Sedge (Carex caryophyllea), Tormentil (Potentilla erecta), Slender St Johns-Wort (Hypericum pulchrum), Heath Speedwell (Veronica officinalis), Heath Milkwort (Polygala serpyllifolia), Small lousewort (Pedicularis sylvatica), Pignut (Conopodium majus) and Devils-bit Scabious (Succisa pratensis)
Orchids seen here include the Heath-Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata).
Common Blue on Devil’s-bit Scabious by Hannah Beal
Calcareous Grassland
Species here include Yellow Oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens), Lady’s Bedstraw (Galium verum), Burnet Saxifrage (Pimpinella saxifrage), Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor) and Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria).
Pyramidal Orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) may be found in calcareous grassland.
Pyramidal Orchid by Sally Jones