The Long Meadow of Treflach

The road verge of Treflach is as old as the taste of water.  

It is a refuge from modernity for its flora, where 97 % of all rare wildflowers and herbs can be found, but very dangerous for its fauna due to fast traffic.

Since cultivation of this site is minimal (apart from occasional digging by local utility companies and cattle browsing on their way to new pastures) the greatest danger is from local hooligans who claim the verge as their own; laying down plastic and stone and killing off anything that dares to photosynthesise.

These unpolluted country lanes should be cherished as unlike other roads they receive less abuse and salt by council gritters that can change the biodiversity.

The long meadow is a seed bank which blooms in an order I will now list:

First comes the anemone in March, the lesser celandine then wild garlic and then lords and ladies.  On south facing slopes early primroses and bluebells can be seen, then in May cow parsley dominates reaching 6 feet high and making indented lanes more narrow when heavy rain causes them to fall into the road.  Then red and white campion, vetch, greater stitchwort, cuckoo flower, speedwell, forget-me-not, white and yellow nettles, henbit and ox and cowslips.  In June buttercups, herb Robert, ribbit plantain, archangel, red clover, welsh poppy and bell flower are abundant.  In July meadow sweet, thistle, poppy - and my favourite the blue corn flower - which signals the end of the seasonal colour as the verge returns to wild grasses and herbs.  There are plenty of others not mentioned I have yet to identify!


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