Factsheet for Fivehead Fields IPA

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Site Code

Country: United Kingdom

Central coordinates: 50.99752765o [50o 59' 51" North], -2.94490288o [2o 56' 41" West]

Administrative region: South West (South Somerset)

Area: 11 ha

Altitude: 44 - 58

Site Description
Three arable fields supporting one of the most important assemblages of arable flora in Britain. One of only three cornfield flower SSSI managed as arable fields in the UK.

Botanical Significance
The site is an Important Arable Plant Area of European importance the most notable species recorded include Valerianella rimosa (UKBAP, EN) Petroselinum segetum, Scandix pectin-veneris (UKBAP, CR) Torilis arvensis (UKBAP, EN), Euphorbia platyphyllos, Vicia parviflora, Valerianella dentata (EN), Legousia hybrida, Lithospermum arvense (EN), Ranunculus arvensis (UKBAP, CR). The fields contain a wide variety of arable weeds, several of which are now nationally
rare or scarce. There is a large population of the nationally rare Broad-fruited
Cornsalad Valerianella rimosa, which is included in the Red Data Book of Rare and
Endangered species in Britain. This is now the only site for this species in South West
Britain and only one of about ten known in Britain. There are also populations of
ShepherdÕs Needle Scandix pecten-veneris, Corn Parsley Petroselinum segetum and
Corn Buttercup Ranunculus arvensis which are all now nationally scarce and which
have experienced substantial declines in distribution in recent years.
Other nationally scarce species found here are Broad-leaved Spurge Euphorbia
platyphyllos, Spreading Hedge-parsley Torilis arvensis, Narrow-fruited Cornsalad
Valerianella dentata and Slender Tare Vicia tenuissima.
Amongst the other uncommon species found on this site are Small Toadflax
Chaenorhinum minus, Dwarf Spurge Euphorbia exigua, Sharp-leaved Fluellen Kickxia
elatine and Round-leaved Fluellen Kickxia spuria.

Management guidance notes
Fivehead Fields noted for vascular plant assesmblages.
Considered one of 6 richest arable plant communities in UK (Byfield& Wilson 2005). Noted for vascular plant interest.

Notes
None