Purple moor grass and rush pastures is a type of Biodiversity Action Plan habitat in the UK. It occurs on poorly drained neutral and acidic soils of the lowlands and upland fringe. It is found in the South West of England, especially in Devon.
The vegetation consists of species-rich, semi-natural grassland containing abundant purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) and one or more of several creeping rushes: sharp-flowered rush (Juncus acutiflorus), jointed rush (Juncus articulatus) and blunt-flowered rush (Juncus subnodulosus).
Only 8% remains of the area thought to have existed in 1900. In the UK estimate the area is thought to be less than 70,000 hectares (170,000 acres).[1] Their importance is recognised and are included as a priority habitat in the United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan.
- ^ "Purple moor-grass and rush pasture". English Nature (succeeded by Natural England). 2004. Archived from the original on 2011-07-10. Retrieved 2010-08-13.