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Haymeadows ("Streuwiesen") are particularly species-rich, unmanured meadows on unevenly wet to marshy sites. Traditionally these meadows were mown once a year in autumn and the cuttings were used as bedding in animal stalls. As there is no direct English translation for the term "Streuwiesen", the common English term "haymeadows" is used here, which covers meadows mown for both hay and straw.
The development of the individual species is staggered over time, allowing the meadows to present a diverse palette of flowering plants from spring far into autumn.
All haymeadows are not alike!
In the Natura 2000 Region of the "Untersberg Foreland" two important types of haymeadows can be seen:
 Purple moorgrass meadows
Purple moorgrass meadows are named after the Purple moorgrass (Molinia caerulea), whose flexible stem has only a single node. They were therefore often used earlier for the cleaning of tobacco pipes. The dark violet ears cover extensive areas in high summer with a colorful feathery shimmer. The Purple moorgrass meadows take on their typical reddish brown color in late summer.
Lime-rich fens (Davall's sedge fens) / Small-sedge fens
Sedge fens grow on nutrient-poor, well saturated to extremely wet soils. They are dominated by low acid grasses. Davall's sedge (Carex davalliana) fens and Brown bog rushes (Schoenus ferrugineus) can be found in the region.
Botanical treasures in Haymeadows
In addition to several orchids and gentians, the Bird's Eye Primrose, the Globeflower and Quaking Grass, one can find a few botanical treasures in the haymeadows. Species that were presumed lost, such as the Bulbous Rush (Juncus bulbosus) and the Blunt Flower Rush (Juncus subnodulosus) have been found again in the region!
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