Eyam Flora

by Lesley May

The drystone walls being such a feature of the area and also the nature of the geology, especially the spoil heaps of the lead mines and the limestone quarries, have helped to influence the flora of Eyam.

The drystone walls make ideal nest sites for small birds such as wrens and stone-chats, with a well stocked larder of a great range of insects. Also small mammals find convenient holes. Various types of lichen are seen, proving that there is a clean atmosphere. If there should be any acid rain, this is neutralised by the dust from the limestone quarries. In damp areas the walls cave cushiony moss and yellow Stonecrop. It is said that where Stonecrop grows on roofs, it lessens the risk of lightning strikes.

The terrain produces its own wild flowers such as Lead wort (a type of Sandwort). These tiny white flowers flourish on the lead spoil heaps, as do Mountain Pansies. Drifts of Eyebright cover the slopes near the Boundary Stone in early summer.

The roadside verges have their own crop of flowers. The tall deep pink Foxgloves are much in evidence tucked alongside the walls (keeping the bumble bees busy) and aromatic Sweet Cecily, the black seeds being used to outline the designs of the Well Dressings. The leaves of the Sweet Briar Rose also prove useful. There is also the descriptively named bluey purple Cranesbill, dainty blue Harebells, Red Campion, Scabious, the small pink Herb Robert, and many more. In damper areas grow Moon Peonies, and Mayblock (local names of Ox Eye Daisy and Kingcup).

In the more acid pastures are Buttercups, Daisies and Cow Parsley, to name but a few. On the dams, Woolly Thistle, lively Quaking Grass, have been observed. Eyam boasts having Northern Marsh Orchids, rarer than the Early Purple, but fortunately increasing in numbers.

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