The Elan Estate is nationally important for its variety of lower plants (mosses, liverworts, lichens, ferns and fungi). Its semi-natural ancient woodlands are some of the finest in Britain and all are included in Sites of Special Scientific Interest. The upland bogs and mires are also very important for wildlife. There are several species-rich hay meadows on the Estate of a type unique to parts of upland Wales.

Sixteen different broadleaved trees grow including the rare English Whitebeam on the cliffs above the Visitor Centre. There is much Ffridd habitat on the hills (scattered hawthorn/rowan/birch on steep hillsides) and provides areas for plants such as the climbing corydalis and the rare corydalis weevil insect. The hawthorns and rowans on these steeper slopes provide abundant autumn food harvest for birds such as the redwing thrush, fieldfare and ring ouzel. The mature Downy birch trees provide habitat for the rare Welsh Clearwing moth in which depends upon it.

The rich plant life in the Elan Valley would provide an avid or enthusiastic botanist many hours of discovery and excitement. There are a number of events on during the year, which is an ideal opportunity to see and learn about some of the exciting plant life which is around.

Ten species of orchid  have been recorded to grow here; Fragrant Orchid, Early Marsh Orchid, Lesser Twayblade, Common Spotted Orchid, Heath Spotted Orchid, Early purple Orchid, Bog Orchid, Lesser and Greater Butterfly Orchid and recently a new record of a single Small White Orchid.

On the areas of permanent pasture which receives grazing to keep the grass short or on thinner soils you may find the happy little faces of the Mountain pansy looking up at you. There is a nice little spot on the road side between Penygarreg Dam and Craig Goch as you go around a bend just past the conifer plantation of Gwaelod y Rhos. These little flowers are mostly yellow in colour though there are records of the pansy with both the yellow and purple petals. On these same soils and other grazed areas you will find another pretty little yellow flower called Tormentil which can be identified by their distinct 4 petals shaped much like a cross. This flower has recently been found to support a few “known” colonies of the Tormentil Mining Bee (a biodiversity Action Plan Species).

Those beautiful flower rich hay meadows are a tapestry of flowers. Comprising of the Hay rattle, hawk bit, eyebright, harebell, Greater burnet, upright vetch; these are only a few of the numerous species to name.

The heathlands are another valuable habitat on the Elan Valley Estate and within these there is another distinct collection of specialised plants. The common heather and bell heather provide a splendid show of purples through August and September on the sides and crests of the hills. Within this heather there is bilberry which provides berries for the wildlife in autumn time (and very popular with the children that visit who often pick them until their mouths and fingers are stained the deepest purple from the feasting). If you were to part the heather or bilberry stems you will find a dense layer of moss. There are two common feather mosses with distinct red stems. If the branches are themselves unbranched the moss is likely to be red stemmed Feather-moss and if the branches are many branched it would be Glittering wood moss. These heathlands have a characteristic bird community and you can expect to see, Stonechat, meadow pipit, skylark, merlin, red grouse, short eared owl and golden plover.

Mosses and Liverworts

Mosses, Liverworts and hornworts are known collectively as Bryophytes. They are typically green (brown/orange and red are also colours especially the Sphagnums) and they are usually small and are considered the simplest of land-dwelling plants. This simplicity is given due to the fact they do not have seeds (spread as spores), do not produce flowers and have no internal means of carrying water or nutrients. There are no roots but Rhizoids which are very thin root-like structures which attached them to surfaces and absorb water.

Bryophytes are abundant with in the Elan Valley because they thrive in wet and damp conditions (though a number are adapted to drier habitats). Much of our landscape supports mosses and they are found in woodlands, Grasslands, bogs, rocks, mines, upland flushes, in or near water courses or reservoirs.