Thyme

This low, creeping plant has small, hairy, almost needle-like, leaves. These xerophytic (drought tolerant) adaptations means that thyme loses less water compared to many other plants and so can survive in extremely hot environments - including the Mediterranean!

Thyme is found in this location in the dale because the top of the south facing dale-side receives direct sunlight causing the most extreme range of seasonal temperatures. Plants growing here need to be able to tolerate drought caused by frozen soils in winter and high temperatures in summer.

Bilberry

This low, bushy shrub is found in this location because it prefers soils that are more acidic. Bilberry is an example of a calcifuge (lime intolerant).

On the north facing dale-side, the temperatures are less extreme due to the lack of direct sunlight. These conditions encourage plant growth, which in turn, stabilises the soil. Each year, the plants die back, adding vegetable matter to the soil. As a result, deeper soils can develop masking the alkaline limestone beneath. These soils can support bilberry and other calcifuges.

Mosses

A common site in damp places, mosses are found in the cool, shaded areas of the dales, typically at the base of the north facing dale-side. Mosses are hydrophytes - water tolerant plants.

Violet

This is common plant has purple flowers with broad, kidney-shaped leaves. The violet is shade tolerant and so is typically found in locations where it receives little direct sunlight.

Bird's foot trefoil

This familiar plant is sometimes known as 'eggs & bacon' due to the red and yellow colouring of its flowers. 'Trefoil' refers to its leaves, which are typically arranged in threes along the stem. Bird's foot trefoil grows in this location in the dale because it prefers limey (alkaline) soils. Bird's foot trefoil is a calcicole - a lime tolerant plant. Other examples found in the limestone dales include wild thyme, rockrose and fairy flax.

On the south facing dale-side, the seasonal range of temperatures mean that fewer plants e.g. grasses can survive here. Exposed patches of bare soil are easily washed down slope. The remaining thin soil strongly reflects the alkaline nature of the limestone rock beneath.

Jacob's ladder

This rare Peak District speciality is found in the more inaccessible areas of the dales, far away from any people or grazing sheep! Other plants found in the ungrazed areas include bloody cranesbill and globeflower.