Although most of the UK was once covered by woodland, the current area is only around 13%, and much of this is coniferous plantations, which are relatively species-poor. The majority of woodland plants are found in deciduous or broad-leaved woodland, in particular where this is ancient, in existence since at least the year 1600 (1750 in Scotland). In southern England many of these woodlands are protected, as nature reserves. Nearly all have a history of coppicing or other management, so there may be no particularly ancient trees remaining, yet the basic habitat remains intact. Some relatively common wildflowers are diagnostic of ancient woodland, such as bluebell, wild garlic, wood anemone and yellow archangel - known as indicator species.
