Flora & Fauna
Listed below are some of the flora and fauna found flourishing at Smiling Tree.
The flora and their surrounding environment provide the habitat for the fauna. And the key fauna, the invertebrates: bugs, beetles, bees, wasps, caddisflies, butterflies, spiders and all the other creepy-crawlies, are the cornerstone for a flourishing wildlife habitat. As the bottom of the food chain, their number and diversity defines what else can survive and thrive.
FLORA
Achillea millefolium Yarrow
Agrostis capillaris Common Bent
Alnus glutinosa Alder
Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail
Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica
Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal Grass
Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley
Aphanes australis Slender Parsley-piert
Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass
Asplenium scolopendrium Hart's-tongue
Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern
Bellis perennis Daisy
Betula pendula Silver Birch
Bromus hordeaceus Soft-brome
Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold
Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bitter-cress
Cardamine pratensis Cuckoo-flower
Carex remota Remote Sedge
Carex spicata Spiked Sedge
Centaurea nigra Common Knapweed
Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear
Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear
Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage
Cichorium intybus Chicory
Circaea lutetiana Enchanter's-nightshade
Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle
Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle
Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle
Corylus avellana Hazel
Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn
Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard
Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog's-tail
Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot
Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hair-grass
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Dipsacus fullonum Wild Teasel
Dryopteris filix-mas Male Fern
Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb
Epilobium obscurum Short-fruited Willowherb
Epilobium parviflorum Hoary Willowherb
Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail
Festuca rubra Red Fescue
Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet
Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hemp-nettle
Galium aparine Cleavers
Galium palustre Common Marsh-bedstraw
Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane's-bill
Geranium robertianum Herb-robert
Geum urbanum Wood Avens
Glechoma hederacea Ground-ivy
Glyceria sp Flote-grass
Hedera helix Ivy
Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed
Holcus lanatus Yorkshire-fog
Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass
Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell
Hypericum humifusum Trailing St John's-wort
Hypericum pulchrum Slender St John's-wort
Hypericum tetrapterum Square-stalked St John's-wort
Hypochaeris radicata Cat's-ear
Ilex aquifolium Holly
Juncus bufonius Toad Rush
Juncus conglomeratus Compact Rush
Juncus effusus Soft-rush
Lamiastrum galeobdolon ssp. argentatum Garden Yellow Archangel
Lapsana communis Nipplewort
Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye Daisy
Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Lotus corniculatus Common Bird's-foot-trefoil
Lotus pedunculatus Large Bird's-foot-trefoil
Luzula campestris Field Wood-rush
Malva moschata Musk-mallow
Matricaria chamomilla Scented Mayweed
Matricaria discoidea Pineapple Weed
Medicago lupulina Black Medick
Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury
Moehringia trinervia Three-nerved Sandwort
Myosotis arvensis Field Forget-me-not
Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort
Papaver somniferum Opium Poppy
Persicaria maculosa Redshank
Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary-grass
Phleum bertolonii Smaller Cat's-tail
Phleum pratense Timothy
Pilosella aurantiaca Fox-and-cubs
Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain
Plantago major Greater Plantain
Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass
Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass
Polygonum aviculare Knotgrass
Potentilla sterilis Barren Strawberry
Prunella vulgaris Selfheal
Prunus spinosa Blackthorn
Pteridium aqulinum Bracken
Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak
Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup
Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup
Rosa canina agg. Dog Rose
Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble
Rubus idaeus Raspberry
Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel
Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock
Cinnabar moth caterpillar on ragwort
Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort
Salix caprea Goat Willow
Sambucus nigra Elder
Schedonorus giganteus Giant Fescue
Scrophularia nodosa Common Figwort
Senecio jacobaea Ragwort
Silene dioica Red Campion
Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle
Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle
Stachys sylvatica Hedge Woundwort
Stellaria alsine Bog Stitchwort
Stellaria graminea Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort
Stellaria media Common Chickweed
Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion
Trifolium dubium Lesser Trefoil
Trifolium pratense Red Clover
Trifolium repens White Clover
Tripleurospermum inodorum Scentless Mayweed
Trisetum flavescens Yellow Oat-grass
Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle
Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell
Veronica beccabunga Brooklime
Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell
Veronica serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Speedwell
Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare
Vicia sativa Common Vetch
Viola riviniana Dog-violet
FUNGI
Taphrina deformans Ascomycota Taphrinales Peach Leaf Curl (on almond)
Taphrina pruni Ascomycota Taphrinales Pocket Plum (on blackthorn)
FAUNA
INVERTEBRATES
Bee beetle
BEETLES
Athous haemorrhoidalis Coleoptera Click Beetle
Bembidion guttula Coleoptera
Cantharis nigricans Coleoptera Soldier Beetles
Cantharis rustica Coleoptera Soldier Beetles
Carabus violaceus Coleoptera Violet Ground Beetle
Coccidula rufa Coleoptera
Coccinella septempunctata Coleoptera Coccinellidae 7-spot Ladybird
Dascillus cervinus Coleoptera Dascillidae Orchid Beetle
Meligethes sp Coleoptera Pollen Beetles
Melolontha melolontha Coleoptera Cockchafer
Oedemera lurida Coleoptera Oedemeridae
Oedemera nobilis Coleoptera
Phyllopertha horticola Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Garden/Bracken Chafer
Platydracus stercorarius Coleoptera
Poecilus versicolor Coleoptera
Rhagonycha fulva Coleoptera Soldier Beetles
Staphylinus olens Coleoptera Devils Coach Horse
Thea 22-punctata Coleoptera 22-Spot Ladybird
Trichius fasciatus Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Bee Beetle
EARWIGS
Forficula auricularia Dermaptera Forficulidae Common Earwig
FLIES
Chloromyia formosa Diptera Stratiomyidae Broad Centurion (Soldierfly)
Chrysopilus cristatus Diptera Rhagionidae Black Snipefly
Dioctria baumhaueri Diptera Asilidae Stripe-legged Robberfly
Episyrphus balteatus Diptera Syrphidae Marmalade Hoverfly
Eristalis spp Diptera Hoverfly
Haematopota pluvialis Diptera Tabanidae Notch-Horned Cleg
Helophilus sp Diptera Hoverfly
Jaapiella veronica Diptera Cecidomyiidae gall in Veronica chamaedrys
Leucozona lucorum Diptera Hoverfly
Melanostoma scalare Diptera Syrphidae Hoverfly
Pedicia rivosa Diptera Pediciidae Cranefly
Rhagio tringaricus Diptera Rhagionidae Marsh Snipefly
Rhingia campestris Diptera Hoverfly
Scaeva pyrastri Diptera Syrphidae Pied Hoverfly
Scathophaga stercoraria Diptera Scathophagidae Yellow Dung-fly
Syrphus sp. Diptera Syrphidae hoverfly
Tipula luna Diptera Tipulidae Cranefly
Volucella bombylans Diptera Hoverfly
MAYFLIES
Rhathogena semicolorata Ephemeroptera Upright Olive Mayfly
Baetis muticus Ephemeroptera Iron Blue Mayfly
Ephemera danica Ephemeroptera Mayfly (Green Drake)
Serratella ignita Ephemeroptera Blue Winged Olive Mayfly
Ecdyonurus torrentis Ephemeroptera Large Brook Dun Mayfly
Rhithrogena semicolorata Ephemeroptera Olive Upright Mayfly
BUGS
Aphrophora alni Hemiptera
Calocoris 6-guttatus Hemiptera
Capsus ater Hemiptera Miridae A mirid bug
Cercopis vulnerata Hemiptera Cercopidae Red-and-Black Froghopper
Cercopis vulnerata Hemiptera
Cicadella viridis Hemiptera Green Leafhopper
Nabis sp Hemiptera
Neophilaenus sp Hemiptera
Pentatoma rufipes Hemiptera Pentatomidae Forest Bug
Philaenus spumarius Hemiptera Common Frog Hopper
Rhopalus subrufus Hemiptera Rhopalidae a rhopalid bug
Stenodema laevigata Hemiptera Miridae Grass Bug
Stenodema sp Hemiptera
ANTS, BEES, WASPS & RELATIVES
Ancistrocerus sp. Hymenoptera Solitary Wasp
Andrena spp. Hymenoptera Solitary Bees
Apis melifera Hymenoptera Honeybee
Bombus hortorum Hymenoptera Small Garden Bumblebee
Bombus hypnorum Hymenoptera Tree Bumblebee
Bombus lapidarius Hymenoptera Red-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus lapidarius Hymenoptera Stone Bumblebee
Bombus lucorum Hymenoptera Small Earth Bumblebee
Bombus pascuella Hymenoptera Common Carder Bee
Bombus pascuorum Hymenoptera Common Carder-bee
Bombus pratorum Hymenoptera Early Nesting Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris Hymenoptera Buff-Tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris Hymenoptera Large Earth Bumblebee
Bombus vestalis Hymenoptera Vestal Cuckoo Bee
Chrysis sp Hymenoptera Ruby-tail Wasp
Dolerus spp. Hymenoptera Sawflies
Formica fusca Hymenoptera Negro Ant
Halictus spp Hymenoptera Solitary Bees
Lasius flavus Hymenoptera Yellow Meadow Ant
Melecta albifrons Hymenoptera Common Mourning Bee
Myrmica rubra Hymenoptera Red ant
Myrmica scabrinodis Hymenoptera Red ant
Nomada spp Hymenoptera Cuckoo Solitary Bees
Tenthredo spp. Hymenoptera Sawflies
BUTTERFLIES & MOTHS
Agapeta hamana Lepidoptera Tortricidae Yellow Conch
Aglais io Lepidoptera Peacock Butterfly
Aglais urticae Lepidoptera Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Anthophila fabriciana Lepidoptera Choreutidae Common Nettle Tap
Aphantopus hyperantus Lepidoptera Ringlet Butterfly
Cabera pusaria Lepidoptera Geometridae Common White Wave
Callimorpha dominula Lepidoptera Scarlet Tiger Moth
Callophrys rubi Lepidoptera Lycaenidae Green Hairstreak
Celypha lacunana Lepidoptera Tortricidae Common Marble
Chrysoteuchia culmella Lepidoptera Crambidae Garden Grass-veneer
Crambus lathoniellus Lepidoptera Crambidae Hook-streak Grass-veneer
Crambus spp. Lepidoptera Grass Moths
Gandaritis pyraliata Lepidoptera Geometridae Barred Straw
Lasiommata megera Lepidoptera Wall Butterfly
Maniola jurtina Lepidoptera Nymphalidae Meadow Brown
Noctua pronuba Lepidoptera Noctuidae Large Yellow Underwing
Pararge aegeria Lepidoptera Speckled Wood Butterfly
Polyommatus icarus Lepidoptera Common Blue Butterfly
Rivula sericealis Lepidoptera Erebidae Straw Dot
Tyria jacobaeae Lepidoptera Cinnabar Moth
Vanessa atalanta Lepidoptera Red Admiral Butterfly
Vanessa cardui Lepidoptera Painted Lady Butterfly
Xanthorhoe montanata Lepidoptera Geometridae Silver-ground Carpet Moth
SCORPIONFLY
Panorpa communis Mecoptera Panorpidae Scorpionfly
DAMSELFLIES & DRAGONFLIES
Agrion virgo Odonata Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly
Aeshna sp Odonata Dragonfly
Libellula depressa Odonata Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly
GRASSHOPPERS
Chorthippus brunneus Orthoptera Acrididae Field Grasshopper
Juvenile grasshoppers were seen in all the areas where tall grasses were growing, apart from the Riparian Zone. When the survey was done it was too early in the year for adults.
STONEFLIES
Nemurella picteti Plecoptera
Nemoura avicularis Plecoptera
Nemoura cambrica Plecoptera
Leuctra hippopus Plecoptera
Leuctra nigra Plecoptera
Isoperla grammatica Plecoptera
Siphonoperla torrentium Plecoptera
CADDISFLIES
Philopotamus montanus Trichoptera Philopotamidae Yellow-spotted Sedge Caddisfly
Agapetus fuscipes Trichoptera
Beraea pullata Trichoptera
Arachnids
Aceria myriadeum Acari (mites) Eriophyidae leaf gall on Field Maple
Eriophyes laevis Acari (mites) Eriophyidae leaf gall on Alder
Mollusca
Cepaea hortensis Gastropoda White-lipped Snail
THANK YOU
Our most grateful thanks to the efforts of professional entomologists, Peter and Sharon Flint, for their invertebrate survey in 2019, and to Mags Cousins and the team from the Shropshire Botanical Society for their survey of both flora and fauna at Smiling Tree during June 2021, where in just an afternoon visit they found an incredible 130 species of pasture plants and 48 species of invertebrates, not to mention a list of birds!