Echte Schlüsselblume
The generally good quality loess soil means much of the area is agriculturally productive pasture, though hay meadows - containing species such as "Rhinanthus minor" (yellow rattle) and "Galium verum" (lady’s bedstraw)- occur in places. On steep slopes and higher points where soils are shallower and pasture improvement difficult, species-rich calcareous grassland can be found, containing species such as "Orchis mascula" (early purple orchid), "Primula veris" (cowslip) and "Thymus serpyllum" (wild thyme). On high ground leaching has resulted in acidic grassland - where "Viola lutea" (mountain pansy) and "Vaccinium myrtillus" (bilberry) occur - and, in a few places, remnants of limestone heath. Minimally grazed north-facing slopes of dales are a national stronghold of "Polemonium caeruleum" (Jacob's ladder), the county flower of Derbyshire.