BSBI Archive - Botanical Society of the British Isles

Important Notice.................................................. 2 

From the President...............................I. Bonner 2 

BSBI Panel of Referees 

........................M.C. Sheahan & D. Pearman 2 

Editorial................................................................ 3 

Notes................................................................ 4-48 

Flora of Great Dun Fell, 12 years on: a cautionary 

tale ..................R.W.M. Corner & L. Robinson 4 

New sites for Martin’s Ramping-fumitory in 

v.cc.11 & 12...........................G. Knass et al. 8 

Lincolnshire Epipactis........................M. Lynes 10 

Loss of Wrexham Herbarium.................G. Wynne 15 

Relict woodland on the cliffs and within the 

waterfall ravines of Swaledale......T. Laurie 16 

Discovery of two unrecorded peloric forms of 

Ophrys sphegodes in Dorset, 2010 

..................................................M.R. Chalk 21 

Archaeophyte herbal plants of the River Tweed 

.............................................M. Braithwaite 23 

Neglected Couch: the enigma of Elytrigia 

campestris ssp. maritima – a confused couch! 

.....................................................M. Wilcox 25 

Monitoring the fate of Glaucium flavum (Yellow 

Horned-poppy) at Sand Bay, N. Somerset 

.......................M.A. Webster & H.J. Crouch 28 

Black Poplars (Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia) 

in v.c.67..................................A.J. Richards 32 

Lobelia urens at Flimwell: an update..S. Harrap 33 

Floral diversity of road verges at Ainsdale, 

Merseyside....P.H. Smith & P.A. Lockwood 34 

Late flowering of Smyrnium olusatrum 

(Alexanders.) in v.cc.25/27.......C.A. Jacobs 36 

Trichophorum cespitosum (Northern Deergrass) 

and allied taxa in RSPB Abernethy Forest 

NNR..........................................A. Amphlett 37 

Return of Fumaria bastardii to SussexM.. Berry 39 

Phytophthora disease – a threat to our native 

vegetation?.............D. Dahl & M. Robinson 40 

Can vice-county boundaries change over time? 

.............................................M. Braithwaite 41 


– a response.................................A. Chater 42 

Rosebay Willowherb..................M. O’Sullivan 42 

Local BSBI groups: why every vice-county 

should have one ............................L. Marsh 43 

Remarkable Bee Orchid plant........W. Shepard 44 

New names and taxa in the third edition of 

Stace – corrections......R. Ellis, D. Pearman 45 

Strange Cotswold Water Park Marsh Horsetails 

.......................................................J. Oliver 45 

Aliens............................................................. 49-58 

Adriatic Bellflower (Campanula garganica) 

recorded as an established alien......C. Pope 49 

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) found in 

Northamptonshire.........................R. Wilson 50 

CONTENTS 

Hypericum coris L. (Heath-leaved St John’s-wort) 

on Isle of Wight..................P. Stanley et al. 50 

Iberis × Arabis?...................................T. Evans 51 

Scrophularia grandiflora in Surrey 

...............................................G. Hounsome 52 

Problems over identification of Pyracantha 

bushes.....................................E.J. Clement 53 

Saxifraga umbrosa – one of our rarest flowers? 

.............................................N.A. Thompson 55 

Verbascum speciosum (Hungarian Mullein) 

new to north-west England at Formby, 

Merseyside (v.c.59)....................P.H. Smith 56 

Notes from Wisley (v.c.17): the sex forms of 

Cortaderia selloana..................J. Armitage 57 

Notices........................................................... 58-60 

Commander John Martin Williamson Topp, 

OBE (1937-2011).....................C.M. Lovatt 58 

Information about ‘Plant Records’ in the New 

Journal of Botany.........................M. Porter 59 

AEM: vegetative i.d. Quiz.................J. Poland 60 

Requests......................................................... 61-64 

Can you save these aliens? 

...............................C. Stace & D. Pearman 61 

Blinks (Montia fontana) (ssp.)..........M. Wilcox 62 

Gentianopsis ciliata (Fringed Gentian) 

recovery project...S.J. Leach & J. Hodgkins 62 

Seeking variations in Alnus glutinosa......M. Bell 63 

Appeal for digital photos for BSBI Annual 

Review 2011.............................C.M. Lovatt 63 

101 rare plants of Wales: request for digital 

images......................L. Cranmer & T. Rich 64 

Offers............................................................. 65-66 

Botanical meetings in Devon............D.J. Allen 65 

Plant slides from the late S. Thomson .............. 65 

Gofynne seed list 2012.........................A. Shaw 65 

Seeds from Ware 2011 collections.....G. Hanson 66 

News of Members – Gwynn Ellis – Marsh Award 

for Botany...................................S. Leach et al. 67 

Botanical crossword 17......................Cruciada 69 

Book Notes...................................J. Edmondson 70 

Obituary Notes...................................M. Briggs 70 

Obituaries in BSBI Yearbook.............M. Briggs 71 

Recorders and Recording.................................. 72 

Panel of Referees and Specialists. M.C. Sheahan 72 

Panel of Vice-county Recorders....D. Pearman 72 

Recording Strategy.............................N. Miller 72 

Notes from the Officers................................ 73-75 

From the Hon. General Secretary........L. Farrell 73 

From the Acting Scottish Officer...... A. Hannah 73 

2011 Scottish Annual Meeting.......R. McGuire 74 

Diary................................................................ 75 

Solution & crib to Crossword 17........................ 75 

Deadline for News 120........................................ 75 

Cover picture – : Taraxacum fulvum (Cinnamon-fruited Dandelion). Photo C. Ferguson- 

Smyth © 2011. Winner of Sex life of plants section of Scottish photo competition (see p. 75)

2 

BSBI Panel of Referees 

MARY CLARE SHEAHAN, 61 Westmoreland Road, London, SW13 9RZ; (m.sheahan@kew.org) 

DAVID PEARMAN, ‘Algiers’, Feock, Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6RA; (dpearman4@aol.com) 

A remarkable advantage of belonging to the 

BSBI is that we have access to the scholarship 

and helpfulness of the large number (more 

than 100) of referees, who are prepared to give 

up their time to make identifications for 

members. They not only provide an extremely 

valuable service to us as individuals; their 

identifications also underpin much of the work 

of the society in producing accurate records 

and in publications such as floras. 

Important Notices – From the President / BSBI Panel of Referees 

IMPORTANT NOTICES 

From The President 

IAN BONNER, Cae Trefor, Tynygongl, Anglesey, LL74 8SD 

(01248 852651; BSBI@caetrefor.co.uk) 

By the time you read this 2011 will be behind 

us – a successful year for the Society. 

Higher than anticipated grant income 

enabled us to strengthen the staff complement 

around the Plant Unit, developing the DDb 

and delivering on a range of projects of mutual 

benefit to the Country Agencies and to 

ourselves. 

Amongst a huge range of other activities to 

be proud of are - the first issues of the New 

Journal of Botany, continued production of 

News, the Yearbook, the Website, the National 

magazines, a highly successful Spring Conference 

and AGM in Galway, regional Annual 

Meetings, Exhibition Meetings and 40 Field 

Meetings. 

All this has been achieved by our small team 

of dedicated staff and the much larger number 

of fantastic volunteers who collect and feed 

the plant data which fuels the Plant Unit (via 

Records Committee) as well as carry out all 

our other activities coordinated through 

Meetings, Publications, Training & Education 

and the Regional Committees – a massive 

thank you to everyone involved. 

2012 promises to be an equally busy and 

exciting year. 

In the current economic climate there are 

bound to be uncertainties about grant income 

for the Plant Unit. However the Agencies are 

increasingly reliant on information provided 

by us which ought to result in a more stable 

funding arrangement! 

On the TPP front, we will be embarking on 

the final field season; but also making a major 

push to complete reports on species covered in 

previous years – some of which will appear as 

papers in the NJB. 

A new initiative, the Plant Surveillance 

Scheme, largely developed by BSBI, is to be 

trialled over the summers of 2012/13 as part of 

a DEFRA funded project. 

In addition to all our usual activities, we look 

forward to the Recorders Conference in 

Shrewsbury in April, our AGM and Conference 

in Reading in May, and the international 

conference in Edinburgh in September to 

celebrate progress in plant recording since 

publication of the first Atlas of the British 

Flora in 1962. 

With all these enjoyable events in mind, I 

look forward to meeting as many of you as 

possible during the year. 

Ian Bonner 

It is of concern to us that the overall success 

of the system is sometimes obscured by the 

occasional problems, though we accept that 

these can cause difficulties. A number of 

referees are currently being sent more material 

to identify than they can reasonably cope with. 

Parcels may contain up to 100 individual 

specimens. It is not surprising that this can 

sometimes lead to delays in replying and a 

handful of referees find it difficult to deal with

Important Notices – From the President / BSBI Panel of Referees / Editorial 

enquiries within an acceptable time. There 

have been occasional complaints from people 

who have waited for up to three years or more 

for the return of their specimens, and in a 

(thankfully very few) cases their specimens 

have become lost or mislaid and never 

returned to them. Of course, there can only be 

sympathy for referees, many of whom are 

busy academics who find it hard to find time 

to deal with these extra-curricular labours. 

We are regularly in contact with referees to 

find out if they are happy to continue, and 

whether they would like assistance. 

Another pressing problem is that universities 

are not producing field botanists in the same 

numbers as in the past. Up to now we have on 

the whole been able to keep abreast of replacements 

when referees retire, but the society 

would like to produce some more long-term 

solutions, and we have given much thought to 

how we might recruit new referees to the panel. 

It is our belief (and hope) that there may be 

many members of the society who already 

have considerable knowledge of certain taxa, 

and who might be prepared to offer their 

EDITORIAL 

TREVOR JAMES (Receiving Editor), 56 Back Street, Ashwell, Baldock, Herts., SG7 5PE 

(01462 742684; trevorjjames@btinternet.com) 

GWYNN ELLIS (General Editor), 41 Marlborough Road, Roath, Cardiff, CF23 5BU 

(02920 496042; rgellis@ntlworld.com) 

Congratulations to our members who were 

awarded MBE in the New Years Honours List 

(see p. 73). 

New Journal of Botany – a correction 

Frank Horsman points out that on page 60 of 

the first issue of our new journal, there is a 

reference in the Teesdale section to “John 

Binton”. The correct name should be John 

Binks – apparently a typing error. 

The second issue of NJB has been published 

and should have reached all members by now. 

If you have not received a copy please contact 

the Membership Secretary. 

British Northern Hawkweeds 

This book has now been published and all 

pre-publication orders were posted to 

members last year. If a copy you ordered has 

services. We are therefore appealing for 

volunteers to come forward. This article is 

addressed to two groups of volunteers: one of 

them is people who have already made some 

study of a particular taxon or group of taxa, 

feel reasonably well-informed about it, and 

would be happy to identify specimens for 

members. The other group would be of people 

who would like to learn more about certain 

taxa, perhaps with the assistance of specialists 

on the subject. What we have in mind is an 

assistant who could receive queries in the first 

instance, deal with those he or she is confident 

about, and keep problematic specimens to 

discuss with an existing referee or expert. 

The only vacancy currently listed in the 

Yearbook is for Betula, but others we would 

like to fill include Amaranthus, Aster, 

Crataegus and Crepis/Pilosella. But 

members will note that there are very many 

genera for which there is currently no referee 

and it may well be that you are interested in 

one of those. If so, then please contact us and 

the Records Committee will discuss the 

suggestion. 

not arrived again please contact the Membership 

Secretary 

Local BSBI Groups 

The note by Louise Marsh on p. 43 about the 

activities of a BSBI group set up in Leicestershire 

makes compulsive reading. I was 

amazed to discover that they have recruited 17 

new BSBI members in only three years, with 

the possibility of several more in the pipeline. 

It just goes to show what can be achieved by a 

small group of determined and talented 

leaders. If this was to be replicated in other 

vice-counties we’d soon reach and exceed the 

magic number of 3,000 members, and, 

perhaps more importantly, we might manage 

to keep them for more than a couple of years 

by giving them something interesting and 

worthwhile to do on a local level. 

3

4 

The flora surrounding the Civil Aviation 

Authority radar station on the exposed summit 

of Great Dun Fell at 848m within the Moor 

House National Nature Reserve in the northern 

Pennines of Cumbria was first noted to be 

unusual by Linda Robinson (LR) in 1996. A 

new station had been built in 1985, and the 

surroundings fenced off against grazing 

animals. Her photograph of the lush flora 

featured in Geoffrey Halliday’s A flora of 

Cumbria (1997). She listed the plant species, 

noting that many were at a higher altitude than 

had been previously recorded for the British 

Isles and Ireland. Two further visits to the site 

were made in 1999, together with Rod Corner 

(RC), and the results published in BSBI News 

(Corner & Robinson, 2001). Later, information 

on the environmental restoration of the 

site showed that much of the altitudinal data 

given in the above was invalid, as many of the 

species had originated from introduced seed. 

Penny Anderson of Penny Anderson Associates 

Ltd. stated that the site had been seeded in 

1986 and 1988, but the source and species 

mixture of the seed was not stated. It seems 

relevant that a research student who had been 

at the site mentioned to LR that seed bags 

noted there were of German origin. We were 

told that local plant material had also been 

collected and grown on, with 2800 plants of 

Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry),Galium 

saxatile (Heath Bedstraw) and Carex 

bigelowii (Stiff Sedge) planted; and, in 

addition, clumps of local rushes were divided 

and planted in the wet areas. Additionally, it 

was stated that the site had been monitored in 

1988 to 1991, and again in 1998 and it was 

intended to publish the results of the changes 

over time (Anderson, 2001). Corner & Halliday 

(2002) criticised this introduction of 

‘foreign’ seed into a National Nature Reserve. 

After 12 years, it was felt that the site should 

NOTES 

Notes – Flora of Great Dun Fell 

The flora of Great Dun Fell, twelve years on: a cautionary tale 

R.W.M. CORNER, Hawthorn Hill, 36 Wordsworth Street, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7QY 

L. ROBINSON, The Cottage, Melmerby, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 1HN 

be re-surveyed, and, having cleared access 

with the authorities, she and RC spent three 

hours examining the site in ideal sunny calm 

conditions on 27 th July 2011. Noting that 

there were several ‘absentees’ in the list, LR 

bravely visited the perimeter of the site on 12 th 

November 2011, in difficult conditions, and 

was able to reinstate some of them. 

Since the last survey there has been an 

obvious increase in the size of the colonies of 

the more vigorous species. The yellow carpets 

of the buttercups R. repens (Creeping 

Buttercup) and R. acris (Meadow Buttercup), 

the concentrated beds of Alchemilla glabra 

(Smooth Lady’s-mantle), A. xanthochlora 

(Pale Lady’s-mantle), Tussilago farfara 

(Colt’s-foot), the tall, massed stems of fruiting 

Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley) and 

flowering Heracleum sphondylium (Hogweed), 

with vegetative stands of Chamerion 

angustifolium (Rosebay Willowherb) were 

conspicuous (see Colour Section, plate 4 (1 & 

2)). Interestingly, the Chamerion seemed not 

to flower here. Luzula luzuloides (White 

Wood-rush) had formed many additional 

strong colonies throughout the site and Carex 

leporina (Oval Sedge) has joined it as a 

species which has escaped from the confines 

of the station into the surrounding grassland, 

where the strongly growing tufts stood out 

from the bare sheep-grazed turf (Corner, 

2000) (see CS, plate 4 (3 & 4)). Saxifraga 

hypnoides (Mossy Saxifrage) was a conspicuous 

mat-forming species scattered over the 

more base-rich areas, and had probably 

become commoner here. This herb-rich 

community covered most of the site, but a wet 

area on the north side, an acid stony habitat 

next to the station, and a small area of the 

original fell top habitat on the west side, 

provided other habitats.

Notes – Flora of Great Dun Fell 5 

Table 1. Species new to the site 

Agrostis capillaris Occasional 

Botrychium lunaria 6 plants 

Cardamine flexuosa One small group 

Carex sylvatica One clump with 5 flowering heads 

Dactylorhiza maculata One spike 

Diphasiastrum alpinum Single group of very small plants 

Epilobium obscurum One plant 

Eriophorum angustifolium Very local 

Eriophorum vaginatum Several clumps 

Euphrasia nemorosa Rare 

Euphrasia cf. scottica Rare 

Huperzia selago One plant 

Hypericum tetragonum? One small sterile plant 

Hypochaeris radicata One plant 

Pilosella officinalis Rare 

Poa cf. pratensis Frequent 

Potentilla erecta One small clump 

Potentilla fruticosa One plant 12 ´ 12cm 

Salix phylicifolia × cinerea? One multi-branched shrub 30cms tall 

Scrophularia nodosa? One small sterile plant 

Sorbus aucuparia One plant 6cm tall 

Triglochin palustris A localised group of 20 small plants 

Veronica chamaedrys One good sized colony 

Vicia sepium One very small group 

Table 1 lists species new to the site, with the 

single colony of Carex sylvatica (Wood 

Sedge) being most unexpected, and well 

above the old altitudinal record of 640m in the 

Clova mountains in the Scottish Highlands 

(Watson, 1852). Triglochin palustris (Marsh 

Arrowgrass), in the moist area, would have 

come in from local stock, as had the two 

cottongrasses, Eriophorum vaginatum 

(Hare’s-tail Cottongrass) and E. angustifolium 

(Common Cottongrass), with the former being 

much the commoner. Not surprisingly, 

Juncus effusus (Soft Rush) had increased in 

quantity, with 20 tussocks. It was good to see 

that Diphasiastrum alpinum (Alpine 

Clubmoss) and Huperzia selago (Fir 

Clubmoss) had started to colonise the bare 

stony ground, with Botrychium lunaria 

(Moonwort) in less acid conditions nearby. A 

single tiny plant of Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan) 

in the same bare area was not entirely 

unexpected, but a slightly larger plant of 

Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil) 

certainly was, and it is tempting to think that it 

has come from the good native stock from 

Upper Teesdale. The single plant of Dactylorhiza 

maculata (Heath Spotted-orchid) was 

new, and the colony of D. fuchsii (Common 

Spotted-orchid) had increased in size. A small 

sterile Hypericum sp. was tentatively identified 

as H. tetragonum (Square-stemmed St 

John’s-wort), and a single small plant as 

sterile Scrophularia nodosa (Common 

Figwort). A number of very small willows

6 

were all concentrated on the south-east side, 

and had grown larger since last observed, but 

were only c. 30cms tall. Not seen previously 

was a shiny-leaved species, which could be 

the hybrid S. phylicifolia × S. cinerea (Tealeaved 

× Grey Willow). They had been 

partially grazed, possibly by voles, although 

the single sheep disturbed in the site may have 

been partly responsible! Sagina nodosa 

(Knotted Pearlwort) was only just hanging on, 

with only two tiny flowering plants. It was 

interesting how Geranium pratense (Meadow 

Table 2. Species not re-found 

Alchemilla alpina Malva moschata 

Cardamine hirsuta Matricaria discoidea 

Carex demissa Myosotis discolor 

Conopodium majus Phalaris arundinacea 

Cryptogramma crispa Phleum pratense 

Cynosurus cristatus Plantago lanceolata 

Dryopteris sp. Poa humilis 

Elytrigia repens Potentilla anserina 

Epilobium hirsutum Saxifraga aizoides 

Epilobium montanum Sedum acre 

Euphrasia confusa Sedum rupestre 

Galium mollugo Stachys sylvatica 

Holcus lanatus Veronica arvensis 

Hypericum perforatum Viola riviniana 

Leontodon hispidus 

Table 2 lists the species not re-found, although 

one can never be certain that the survey has 

been complete, even in such a comparatively 

small area, and identification problems have 

blurred the picture. The three species: 

Alchemilla alpina (Alpine Lady’s-mantle), 

Saxifraga aizoides (Yellow Saxifrage) and 

Sedum rupestre (Reflexed Stonecrop), which 

stood out as being almost certain introductions, 

had gone, and may have been deliberately 

removed. Epilobium hirsutum (Great 

Willowherb) and Phalaris arundinacea (Reed 

Canary-grass), which had also looked out of 

place in the wet area, had also gone, and we 

could be reasonably certain that the following 

Notes – Flora of Great Dun Fell 

Crane’s-bill), Hypochaeris radicata 

(Common Cat’s-ear) and Scorzoneroides 

autumnalis var. pratensis (Leontodon autumnalis 

ssp. pratensis) (Autumn Hawkbit) 

maintained their single plant status, and 

Centaurea nigra (Common Knapweed) and 

Primula veris (Cowslip) also survived, with a 

single clump each. The Euphrasia spp. 

(Eyebrights) were tentatively identified, as 

were the Salix spp., but the Hieracium spp. 

(Hawkweeds) and the Taraxacum sp. (Dandelion) 

were lumped as aggregates. 

were no longer present: Carex demissa 

(Common Yellow-sedge), Conopodium majus 

(Pignut), Cynosurus cristatus (Crested Dog’stail), 

Dryopteris filix-mas (Male-fern), Galium 

mollugo (Hedge Bedstraw), Malva moschata 

(Musk-mallow), Myosotis discolor (Changing 

Forget-me-not), Plantago lanceolata 

(Ribwort Plantain), Potentilla anserina 

(Silverweed), Sedum acre (Biting Stonecrop), 

Veronica arvensis (Wall Speedwell) and Viola 

riviniana (Common Dog-violet). We were 

surprised that the large plant of Cryptogramma 

crispa (Parsley-fern) had gone. 

Matricaria discoidea (Pineappleweed) and 

Stachys sylvatica (Hedge Woundwort) had

Notes – Flora of Great Dun Fell 7 

been recorded in 1996, but not in 1999, and 

were not re-found in 2011, but Rumex crispus 

(Curled Dock), although seen in 1996, but not 

in 1999, had reappeared, with 6 plants. 

Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bittercress) and 

C. flexuosa (Wavy Bittercress) may have been 

confused. Vegetative Holcus lanatus 

(Yorkshire-fog) and Elytrigia repens 

(Common Couch) may have been missed, but 

it is difficult to explain the absence of Phleum 

pratense (Timothy) when Alopecurus pratensis 

(Meadow Foxtail) was so relatively 

common. Hypochaeris radicata had almost 

certainly been recorded previously in error as 

Leontodon hispidus (Rough Hawkbit). The 

large size of the colony of Veronica chamaedrys 

(Germander Speedwell) probably meant 

that it had been overlooked previously. The 

Poa pratensis (Smooth Meadow-grass) 

looked ‘odd’, and had been previously identified 

as P. humilis (Spreading Meadow-grass), 

but it is probably an introduced strain of 

P. pratensis, as was the large-flowered Ranunculus 

repens. The failure of Chamerion 

angustifolium to flower may show that these 

plants originated from a ‘lowland’ strain, 

which has been unable to acclimatise to more 

severe conditions. Silene dioica (Red 

Campion) was much reduced from competition, 

and may not survive much longer. 

Although Vaccinium myrtillus was mentioned 

as being re-introduced in the restoration 

process, not a single plant was observed here 

during our surveys. 

Bryophytes and lichens 

Only a very superficial examination of this 

flora was made. Dense and extensive mats of 

the moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus covered 

large areas as an under-storey in the herb-rich 

areas, and probably acts as a physical barrier 

to plant colonisation. Its presence in such 

quantity may well indicate the effects of 

atmospheric nitrogen deposition over the site. 

Dense cushions of Bryum pseudotriquetrum, 

Dichodontium pellucidum and fruiting 

Philonotis fontana, with mats of Cratoneuron 

filicinum, produced an extensive, variegated 

carpet over the moist soil on the north side; 

and the bare, acid, stony area close to the west 

side of the station had the mosses Pogonatum 

urnigerum, Dicranum scoparium and the 

macro-lichen Cladonia furcata, with poorly 

developed Cladonia portentosa. Interestingly, 

Cetraria islandica occurred as a single 

large cushion. 

Conclusions 

Rawes (1981) found that there was a decline 

in species at sites left ungrazed for a period of 

eight years, during studies on the Moor House 

National Nature Reserve, with an on-going 

change in composition. No shrubs or trees 

appeared, but this may have been related to the 

small size of the protected areas. The present 

survey shows that there have been more losses 

than gains at the Great Dun Fell site, but 

comparisons with Rawes’ study are hardly 

relevant because of the artificial nature of the 

site and the confused origin of its flora. 

Willows have appeared very locally as small 

shrubs and probably came in naturally. Of the 

42 plant species listed from this site in the 

altitudinal booklet (Pearman & Corner, 2004), 

most should probably be removed from any 

new edition, as there are now strong grounds 

for believing them to be introductions. Unfortunately, 

sorting out the provenance of the 

flora here will be a long term problem and may 

never be satisfactorily resolved. Penny 

Anderson Associates were contacted and told 

of this impending paper, and were asked to 

comment, but no communication has been 

received, nor have we received any details of 

their surveys. 

In spite of the introduced flora, the site is 

still of interest, showing the dynamic interplay 

between species in an exposed wet and cold 

habitat, with gains and losses, and it is hoped 

that monitoring will continue into the future. 

Although the dome and buildings, with fans 

venting hot air over parts of the site, are incongruous 

and intrusive, on a fine day the 

glorious views from the elevated position, and 

the unusual flora, make botanising there 

worthwhile. 

Acknowledgements: 

The station personnel should be thanked for 

giving access to the site, and David Chamberlain 

of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh,

8 

for identifying the moss Dichodontium pellucidum. 

References: 

ANDERSON, P. (2001). ‘Plant colonisation on 

Great Dunn [sic] Fell, Cumbria’. BSBI News 

88: 26. 

CORNER, R. & HALLIDAY, G. (2002). ‘Plant 

Colonisation on Great Dun Fell, Cumbria’. 

BSBI News 89: 22. 

CORNER, RODERICK & ROBINSON, LINDA 

(2001). ‘Observations on plant colonisation 

at the Civil Aviation Authority Station on 

the summit of Great Dun Fell (848m), 

Cumbria, with comparisons to the Icelandic 

Flora’. BSBI News 86: 20-24. 

CORNER, R.W.M. (2006). ‘White Wood-rush 

(Luzula luzuloides) naturalised on Great 

Dun Fell, northern Pennines, Cumbria’. 

BSBI News 101: 9-10. 

HALLIDAY, G.H. (1997). A flora of Cumbria. 

University of Lancaster. 

RAWES, M. (1981). ‘Further results of excluding 

sheep from high-level grassland in the 

north Pennines’. Journal of Ecology 69: 

651-669. 

PEARMAN, D.A. & CORNER, R.W.M. (2004). 

Altitudinal limits of British and Irish vascular 

plants. BSBI, London. 

WATSON, H.C. (1852). Cybele Britannica; or 

British plants and their geographical 

relations. Vol. 3. Longman, London. 

(p.131). 

New sites for Martin’s Ramping-fumitory Fumaria reuteri in 

Hampshire (v.cc.11 & 12) 

GARETH KNASS, Hungerford, Berkshire; (garethknass@btinternet.com) 

TONY MUNDELL, 38 Conifer Close, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hants., GU52 6LS; 

(vc12recorder@hantsplants.org.uk) 

JOHN NORTON, 215 Forton Road, Gosport, Hants., PO12 3HB; (john@jnecology.com) 

MARTIN RAND, 21 Pine Road, Chandlers Ford, Hants., SO53 1LH; 

(vc11recorder@hantsplants.org.uk) 

On 24 th September 2010 permission was 

sought from an allotment holder to view some 

interesting looking allotments in the Titchfield 

area of South Hampshire. While walking 

through the site, Gareth Knass noted a number 

of declining arable weeds, such as Stachys 

arvensis (Field Woundwort), and the Red Data 

List species Misopates orontium (Weasel’s 

Snout) and Spergula arvensis (Corn Spurrey) 

as abundant weeds across many plots. Patches 

of other interesting arable plants were seen, 

including Fumaria muralis ssp. boroei 

(Common Ramping-fumitory) and Lamium 

amplexicaule (Henbit Dead-nettle). It was in 

the southern section of the allotments that a 

more robust ramping-fumitory was discovered, 

which looked different in structure and 

appearance from the Common Ramping-fumitory 

already noted. The plants were large and 

many flowered, with mostly short racemes on 

longer flower stalks. The sepals were generally 

non-toothed, and the plants were brightly 

Notes – Flora of Great Dun Fell / Fumaria reuteri in Hampshire 

coloured. A number of photographs of the 

plants were taken and the photos were passed 

to Martin Rand and Tony Mundell, the County 

Recorders for Hampshire. 

The photographs were inconclusive for 

identification, but the two possibilities were a 

robust variant of Common Ramping-fumitory 

(perhaps F. muralis ssp. boroei var. major) or 

the nationally rare Schedule 8 Wildlife & 

Countryside Act species F. reuteri (Martin’s 

Ramping-fumitory). The site was re-visited to 

take a few more photos and some measurements, 

and these were sent to the BSBI referee 

for fumitories, Rose Murphy. She wrote back 

promptly asking for specimens and providing 

some further insight into identification criteria. 

Natural England and the landowners (Fareham 

Borough Council) were contacted, and three 

specimens were taken of the mystery fumitory, 

with a fourth specimen of what was considered 

to be one of the more robust Common 

Ramping-fumitories from the same area on the

Notes – Fumaria reuteri in Hampshire 9 

13 th October 2010. These specimens were 

packed in separate plastic bags and a Jiffy bag, 

and posted special delivery to Rose Murphy so 

that she had fresh material to examine. 

The three specimens were all determined as 

Martin’s Ramping-fumitory, and the fourth 

specimen was a Common Ramping-fumitory, 

but not the scarcer var. major. From a visit on 

13 th October 2010, Martin Rand and Gareth 

Knass recorded the Martin’s Ramping-fumitory 

as widespread on at least five plots at the 

southern end of the allotments. Common 

Ramping-fumitory is also widespread here 

and further north in the allotments. The news 

was relayed to the allotment owners and the 

local allotment association, with information 

on the species, arable flora in general, and 

some advice on maintaining the population 

from Natural England, who oversee the Isle of 

Wight population, and from Plantlife. 

Shortly after hearing about the discovery of 

Fumaria reuteri at Titchfield, John Norton emailed 

Martin Rand to say that he and Debbie 

Allan had walked past their local allotments in 

Gosport, on 25 th October 2010, and were sure 

they had found the species. Photographs taken 

by Debbie show the almost untoothed sepals, 

but a specimen sent to Rose Murphy was 

immature and did not show the short peduncle 

and long raceme, so she was reluctant to verify 

the identification at that stage. Better material 

was obtained and sent to her in early May 2011, 

and the identification duly confirmed. A little 

later in 2011 Martin Rand and John Norton 

carried out a more thorough survey of the 

Gosport site, finding it rather uncommon, with 

the largest population confined to the fenced 

margins of the site. 

On 23 rd September 2011, just a year after the 

first discovery of F. reuteri in South 

Hampshire, John Moon was visiting Henry 

Edmunds’ farm near Cholderton. This is quite 

a large farm that straddles the Hampshire/ 

Wiltshire border, and Henry is well known as 

a champion of organic farming. The two of 

them spotted a group of about 20 unusual 

fumitories, which puzzled them, in a field 

within the North Hampshire part of the farm. 

A small fresh piece was sent via Tony 

Mundell to Rose Murphy, who determined it 

as F. reuteri. John and Henry returned on 27 th 

September 2011 and found that there were 

actually a few thousand plants of it scattered 

widely amongst the turnip crop. For the last 

five years this particular field has been grazed 

by cattle in winter and then used to raise 

Lapwings in spring. It is left fallow in summer 

until the Lapwings have fledged, then it is 

harrowed and sown with turnips. It seems 

likely that there were a few F. reuteri plants 

present at the beginning of this sequence of 

five years and that these have multiplied up as 

a result of the annual cultivation. Ironically 

Tony Mundell had been on a group visit with 

the Reading and District Natural History 

Society to the farm earlier on 25 th June 2011 

and had been delighted to see a few plants of 

Fumaria parviflora (Fine-leaved Fumitory) 

on the edge of the same field, but the group 

had not ventured across the sea of poppies out 

into the field itself. 

Given the little run of recent reports of 

Fumaria reuteri (McHaffie, 2010; Hounsome, 

2011), it seems not unlikely that new sites 

could be found for this species in Hampshire 

and elsewhere. The authors hope to make a 

more extensive search of Hampshire allotments 

during 2012. 

Visiting 

The allotment owners at Fareham and local 

allotment association are happy to receive 

visitors who arrange in advance when they 

intend to visit the site. The contact details are: 

Matt Wakefield, Horticultural Development 

Officer, Fareham Borough Council (Tel.: 

01329 824543) (www.fareham.gov.uk). 


Rose Murphy, Peter Sell and Rosemary 

Parslow are thanked for their help in the 

identification of this species. 

References: 

HOUNSOME, G. (2011). ‘Fumaria reuteri in 

Surrey (v.c.17)’. BSBI News 118: 20. 

MCHAFFIE, H. (2010). ‘Two more Fumaria 

reuteri (Martin’s Ramping-fumitory) 

locations in Scotland’. BSBI News 114: 26-27. 

MURPHY, R. (2009) Fumitories of Britain and 

Ireland. BSBI, London. BSBI Handbook 

No. 12.

10 

A Lincolnshire Epipactis 

MARK LYNES, Westlands, 21 Akeferry Road, Westwoodside, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, 

DN9 2DX; (maslyni@gmail.com) 

Epipactis dunensis (Dune Helleborine) is 

currently known from a single Lincolnshire 

site, Messingham Sand Quarry Lincolnshire 

Wildlife Trust reserve. Previously, it occurred 

at two other sites. Other than a short article 

using the same title as this one, however, 

nothing has been published on the status of the 

species in Lincolnshire and there has been no 

attempt to collate population data from the 

three sites. The current article is an attempt to 

chronicle the presence of this rare, endemic 

species in its Lincolnshire outpost and 

hopefully also to encourage botanists to search 

for other populations of the plant, which I am 

convinced must lurk elsewhere in the county. 

Crowle Waste 

Now part of the Crowle Moors Lincolnshire 

Wildlife Trust reserve, and long a SSSI for a 

variety of reasons, not least botanical, the site 

lies in the county of Lincolnshire but forms part 

of v.c.63 South-west Yorks. Part of the much 

larger Thorne Moors National Nature Reserve, 

it was for many years cut for peat, although, by 

the time of the discovery of E. dunensis, this 

had mostly ceased on Crowle Waste, albeit 

continuing for a number of years on Thorne 

Moors proper. 

E. dunensis was first noted at Crowle on 5 th 

July 1981, when the late Irene Weston (IW), 

found a total of 33 spikes of E. helleborine 

(Broad-leaved Helleborine) and E. dunensis. 

On 13 th July, 30 spikes, all attributed to 

E. dunensis, were recorded, although they were 

not then in flower. Aware that this would 

constitute a first record for Lincolnshire, IW 

wrote to Franklyn Perring (FP), whom she 

evidently knew, requesting his help in the determination 

of the plants. He wrote back 

promptly, stating that he was no expert on 

Epipactis and suggested she might like to send 

a small specimen to the Referee, “Dr Knight”. 

This she evidently did, and, on 28 th July, Dr 

J.T.H. Knight (JK) wrote back, indicating that 

he had received flowers and slides from her the 

previous Saturday while he was away on 

Notes – Lincolnshire Epipactis 

holiday and that his daughter had kept them in 

a cool place until his return the previous night. 

He commented that the slides were very good 

and that he had taken the liberty of attaching 

self-adhesive discs on each one, evidently with 

an attempted determination. “I think no. 4 is 

the questionable one and could well be 

Epipactis dunensis Godfery”. He then went on 

to comment in detail on the specimens/slides, 

noting that he was guarded about both, stating: 

“The flowers are suspicious both in perianth 

segments and the ovaries, which do not quite fit 

with Epipactis helleborine.” However, he went 

on to say that E. helleborine was so variable 

that he had seen specimens resembling “exactly 

yours”. He determined one slide (No. 1) as E. 

helleborine, a good clustered specimen, 

commenting that he had seen one in Sussex 

with 27 flowering stems, from which it should 

be deduced that Epipactis purpurata (Violet 

Helleborine) “does not hold the prerogative of 

possessing clustered flowering stems.” He 

further noted that all the pollinia in the 

specimen flowers had disappeared, but that the 

flowers were afflicted with a fungus infection, 

which made determination difficult. He urged 

her to find “a sickly-looking plant with 

biflorous leaves” and to send him two flowers, 

one about to open and the other, just above it, in 

bud. This way he would be able to dissect the 

flowers and have a good look for the presence 

or absence of a glandular rostellum. “If that is 

weak or absent, the flowers will be those of Ep. 

dunensis.” IW must have acceded to his 

request promptly, for, on 7 th August, JK wrote 

back: “Congratulations! It looks now as if we 

have a record for E. dunensis Godfery from 

Lincolnshire”. Dissection of one of the flowers 

had revealed complete dispersal of the pollinia 

and no semblance whatever of a glandular 

rostellum. In the same letter, JK comments at 

length as to how E. muelleri (Mueller's Helleborine) 

can be eliminated and on his suspicions 

that E. dunensis may yet turn out not to be 

endemic to Britain. He also writes of the

Notes – Lincolnshire Epipactis 11 

futility of attempting to identify Epipactis 

species from photographs. 

Around the same time as writing to FP and 

JK, IW and also Miss E.J. Gibbons evidently 

wrote to Professor A.J. Richards (AJR), who 

was by then well known in the field of 

Epipactis research. In a letter of 8 th September 

AJR remarked that E. dunensis on peat and 

amongst Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken) was 

indeed a remarkable, albeit not entirely unprecedented, 

record. It was around this time that 

AJR and others began to have suspicions that 

one of the North East populations of what were 

then unequivocally thought to be E. leptochila 

(Narrow-lipped Helleborine) was in fact 

comprised of E. dunensis. He goes on to say 

that “the only real distinguishing marks 

between E. leptochila and E. dunensis are 

labellum shape and posture, and, of course, 

habitat.” He further comments that E. dunensis 

is probably merely a dune variant of E. leptochila 

and that it “deserves only subspecific 

rank, if that.” AJR ends the letter by stating he 

would be very interested in borrowing a few 

slides. Some time later, having evidently 

received the requested slides, he writes again to 

IW. In a short letter he concurs with the 

identification of some of the plants as E. 

dunensis, while stating that “rather more may 

be helleborine than you thought”. He goes on 

to provide a few guidelines as to the separation 

of the two taxa. Most of these hold good today, 

however a few would raise eyebrows: 

“dunensis is never (?) multi-stemmed; helleborine 

often is”; “dunensis never has pink 

tepals, although it is sometimes slightly pink on 

the labellum”; the lower leaves of dunensis are 

“not cordate or clasping”. In comments which 

some orchidophiles would do well to take on 

board today he also advises that “Weak plants 

of helleborine can be small, yellowish, tworanked, 

with green flowers and singlestemmed.” 

The Crowle plants continued to be monitored 

in some detail annually by IW and others. 

There were counts of 25 in 1982 (with 35 

E. helleborine ) and 48 (50 E. helleborine ) in 

1983. Subsequently the species was noted in 

each year until the final record in 1990; 

however regrettably there are no further counts. 

The plants grew on the north part of Crowle 

Moors, on the track around what was then the 

North Reserve, much of which was formerly a 

small-gauge railway track for removing the cut 

peat. Slides (see inside back cover) show the 

plants growing up through copious amounts of 

P. aquilinum. The ownership of Crowle is 

fragmented into strips. The LWT holding 

consisted then of a North and South Reserve, 

widely separated by land owned by others. This 

still applies today, but just recently a link has 

been established between the North and South 

Reserves, though a significant part of the intervening 

land is still not owned by the LWT. 

The track itself was largely removed by the 

then warden, Ken Green, in the 1970s. The 

baulks supporting the railway track were built 

up with warp (alluvium) and clinker. Precisely 

what the substrate where the helleborines grew 

is not recorded. Paul Kirby, the recorder for 

North Lincolnshire, has commented: “I can’t 

be absolutely sure but I think that the Dune 

Helleborines were only found on baulks that 

had supported railway track, whereas the 

Broad-leaved Helleborines, though present on 

the these baulks, also occurred elsewhere.” 

Examination of some of the slides taken by IW 

and others of the Crowle plants today reveals 

that a number of them are indeed obviously 

E. dunensis and that, as commented by AJR, 

many more, indeed the majority, are, E. helleborine. 

This makes an accurate assessment of 

the population size somewhat difficult. 

It is widely considered that flooding extirpated 

the Crowle population. However, whilst 

the principal of the two main sites at Crowle 

was subsequently flooded, one other remains to 

this day. Ironically it may in fact be that a lack 

of water was responsible. 1989–1991 was a 

very dry period, with rainfall figures from RAF 

Finningley (18km SW of Crowle) showing 

mean rainfall as follows: 1979–1995: 572mm; 

1980–1987: 615mm; and 1988–1995: 520mm. 

E. helleborine continues to be present at 

Crowle. However, there have been no further 

records of E. dunensis, despite searching by the 

writer and others. There remains much habitat at 

Crowle which, superficially at least, resembles 

that of the 1980s, and the plant’s habit of 

growing up through stands of Bracken would

12 

make it easily overlooked. I, at least, remain 

hopeful that the species may yet be re-found here. 

Osgodby Corner 

Osgodby Corner is part of the much larger 

Willingham Woods Forestry Commission 

complex near Market Rasen. The small area 

where the helleborines grew was planted partly 

with conifers and partly with broad-leaved 

trees. The conifers, mostly Pinus nigra ssp. 

laricio (Corsican Pine) were planted in 1955, 

and the broad-leaves, mostly Quercus rubra 

(Red Oak), ten years earlier, as a narrow strip 

around the periphery of the site. The substrate 

is acidic cover-sands. 

In 1978 IW came across a small number of 

helleborines, which, at the time, and for some 

time thereafter, she identified as E. helleborine. 

Ten plants were located when the population 

was initially found, with 11 plants noted in 

1979. She continued to monitor the population 

and, by 1982, had seemingly become 

convinced that the plants were in fact 

E. dunensis, then considered a variety of 

E. leptochila. This was presumably because of 

her experience with the Crowle population, 

which had recently been confirmed as this 

taxon. On 7 th July 1982, 25 spikes, all in bud, 

were counted, and on 13 th July of the same year 

she sent material to AJR. In a telephone call to 

IW on 18 th July, John Richards confirmed her 

identification as E. dunensis. By 21 st July 1982, 

a total of 46 spikes in full bloom was counted, 

some of which were photographed by IW and 

G.S. Phillips. A special visit, in the company of 

E.J. Gibbons, was made on 25 th July to map the 

plants (see p. 13). As can be seen from the map 

the colony occurred over a relatively small area, 

growing amongst a ground cover of Equisetum 

arvense (Field Horsetail). At this time the 

woodland would still have been relatively 

young and immature, with relatively little 

competition for the helleborines. Photographs 

from the earlier visit were exhibited at the BSBI 

exhibition meeting in November 1982, and a 

short note published in Watsonia (Weston, 

1983), with the title “A Lincolnshire 

Epipactis”. In the note IW remarked that the 

plants exhibited epichiles which were “in the 

young florets … straight, typical of the form 

seen in E. leptochila, but recurved as the florets 


matured to resemble a lip characteristic of 

E. dunensis”. She postulated that the Osgodby 

population could be an intermediate form 

between the two species. E. leptochila, as it 

was then understood, had not at that time been 

recorded in Lincolnshire, as it was before local 

government reorganisation; the plants on 

Crowle being marooned in Humberside. 

Emboldened by the telephone call from John 

Richards, IW wrote again to Dr Knight. On 16 th 

November 1982 he wrote back. The news was 

not good. He commented that her remarks 

about the behaviour of the epichile were quite 

out of character for E. leptochila, although that 

was in any event irrelevant, as it was “the nature 

of the column and the presence or absence of a 

glandular rostellum in unopened flowers” 

which was important. For emphasis he underlined 

these words. He went on to say that he 

presumed it was such material as had been sent 

to John Richards and that, had she sent him one 

or two fruits, he may still have been of assistance 

to her. “The fruits are so characteristic 

that I have been able to determine this species 

in the past from the nature of the fruits.” He 

concluded by saying that “as regards recording 

... it looks as if it had better stand as E. helleborine 

(L.) Crantz for the time being”, John 

Richards’ determination as E. dunensis 

seemingly being insufficient. On 24 th July of 

the following year, IW led a Wild Flower 

Society visit to the site specifically to see the 

helleborines; although seemingly this was an 

unofficial visit, as no record survives in the 

Wild Flower Society annals (P. Llewellyn, 

pers. comm.). Notwithstanding the comments 

of JK in 1982, it is clear from a BSBI record 

card completed by IW in the same year that she 

regarded the identification as proven, the plants 

being recorded as Epipactis leptochila var. 

dunensis. Examination of photographs taken 

at the time reveals plants typical of E. dunensis 

(see inside back cover). 

IW seemingly continued to monitor the site, 

although unfortunately there are no further 

surviving population counts. She last noted 

E. dunensis at Osgodby in 1989. Follow up 

visits in August 2005 (IW & Paul Kirby) and 

July 2010 by the writer failed to find any plants. 

In 2005 IW remarked that the area had changed

Notes – Lincolnshire Epipactis 13 

Osgodby record card of Epipactis dunensis, 1982, per Paul Kirby

14 

dramatically – there was no sign of the 

E. arvense among which the helleborines originally 

grew, and much of the area was under a 

continuous mat of Hedera helix (Common Ivy). 

In 2010 the situation was, if anything, even 

worse, with a ground layer carpeted with Ivy 

and a field layer dominated by tangled masses 

of impenetrable Rubus sp(p.) (Bramble) and 

Dryopteris dilatata (Broad Buckler-fern). The 

site is now eminently unsuitable for the species. 

From photographs taken at the time, it is 

evident that, in the early 1980’s, around the 

time the plant was first identified, the area 

where the plants grew was still a relatively 

immature area of woodland, with a rather 

closed canopy and consequently limited 

ground/field layer. By 1989 the plantation was 

evidently maturing and was clearly already 

unsuitable. By 2010, succession had well and 

truly taken hold, and the site is now an 

unremarkable piece of woodland. Even larger 

areas of potentially suitable habitat exist 

nearby, however, and it remains possible that 

E. dunensis could yet be re-discovered in the 

general area. 

Messingham Sand Quarry LWT Reserve 

After a lengthy ‘absence’ from the Lincolnshire 

flora, E. dunensis made a welcome re-appearance 

at Messingham Sand Quarry Lincolnshire 

Wildlife Trust Reserve in 2006. A former 

working sand quarry, the site has been leased 

and managed by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust 

since 1981. The excavation of sand has left a 

series of lagoons of differing depths, with fringing 

beds of Phragmites australis (Common 

Reed). There is a small area of remnant heath, 

supporting Calluna vulgaris (Heather), Genista 

anglica (Petty Whin) and other heathland flora. 

Many of the tracks and drainage dykes are 

fringed with scrub, comprised of Betula (birch) 

and Salix (willow). Small areas of more mature 

woodland, including some planted conifers, 

complete a mosaic of habitats. 

The plants have until recently been confined to 

an extremely limited area of no more than 20 

square metres, growing in a damp, dingy hollow 

under Betula and Salix, in a strip of scrub 

woodland sandwiched between one of the 

principal areas of Phragmites marsh and one of 

the many broad tracks which criss-cross the site. 


Interestingly, one of the dominant species of the 

ground layer is E. arvense, which in some years 

carpets the ground; the helleborines growing 

through it seemingly without too much difficulty. 

The site appears to be becoming increasingly 

wet, with the E. dunensis favouring the 

drier, raised areas. Many of the plants are 

extremely small. A significant proportion do not 

flower each year, perhaps indicating habitat 

conditions are less than optimal. 

The species was first found at this site by Vi 

Wilkin (then Voluntary Reserve Manager) on 

the annual Open Day in June 2006. Subsequently 

the population averaged around 12 or so 

spikes until a record count in 2009, when 23 

were counted (pers. obs.). In 2010, when 14 

spikes were recorded, a single plant was noted 

growing alongside the track bordering the main 

site, some 30m away. The annual mowing of 

this particular track had been delayed that year, 

thus, it seems, allowing the plant to mature and 

flower. 

Concerned as to the management of the helleborines, 

I made representations to the reserve 

management in late 2010. As a consequence it 

was agreed that, inter alia, the track alongside 

and beyond the main site would not be mown 

over the summer. In 2011 a total of 19 spikes 

was noted at the main site and in two discreet 

populations along the trackside within 30m of 

it. As a precaution, the two populations were 

taped off and visitors deterred from entering the 

main site (see inside back cover). Many of the 

plants along the track were distinctly robust, 

more so than the plants at the main site, 

although robust plants have been found in 

previous years. With a significant range extension 

beyond the original core site and the 

thinning out of scrub connecting it with the 

trackside populations it is hoped the future of 

the species here is somewhat more secure than 

it otherwise might have been. Note that there 

is no open public access to Messingham; 

however interested naturalists are welcomed. 

Varietal determination 

All three Lincolnshire populations have been 

comprised of plants showing a distinct reddish 

base to the pedicel and a prominently pinktinged 

epichile, and appear identical to the 

coastal plants. Inland plants in Northumber-

Notes – Lincolnshire Epipactis / Loss of Wrexham Herbarium 15 

land and Cumbria (so called var. tynensis) 

typically show a green base to the pedicel and a 

cleaner, paler epichile, although are otherwise 

morphologically very similar. The Messingham 

plants, at least, are clearly autogamous, 

although a somewhat reduced viscidium is 

often apparent in recently opened flowers, as is 

also the case with coastal populations. 

Similar inland populations have been found 

in recent years in an arc seemingly connecting 

the coastal Lancashire plants with those on 

Anglesey. It is likely there are more populations 

waiting to be found in this area. A huge 

population on the site of another former sand 

and gravel quarry near Wrexham had for many 

years masqueraded as E. helleborine, even 

being recorded as such on a BSBI meeting. 

It must be stressed that none of the Lincolnshire 

plants have been genetically analysed. 

With plants at Messingham in some years 

showing features conceivably indicative of 

introgression with E. helleborine and with 

similar suspicions clouding at least some of the 

west coast plants, it remains possible the 

apparent adventurousness of the Lincolnshire 

helleborines is indicative of a promiscuous 

origin. However, if it walks like a duck... 

Where did the plants come from? 

E. dunensis has never been known from the 

Lincolnshire coast, the nearest east coast 

population being some considerable way to the 

Loss of Wrexham Herbarium 

north in coastal County Durham. It is not 

known from whence the planted Pinus at 

Osgodby Corner originated, and so there is the 

possibility of the helleborines there having 

arrived as seeds on the roots of saplings transported 

from nurseries on the Lancashire coast, 

although this seems unlikely. Equally it is 

possible the plants arrived from wind-borne 

seed blown across from Lancashire or North 

Wales on the predominantly westerly airflow. 

More intriguing still is the thought they may in 

fact have originated independently of the other 

known populations from some quite separate 

selfing of E. helleborine. Unless and until the 

Lincolnshire plants have their DNA looked at, 

it is likely we will never know. 


Madge McLean of Axholme Camera Club 

kindly scanned old slides for me. Paul Kirby 

provided extensive and invaluable assistance, 

including the loan of original slides and photographs, 

upon which much of this article is 

based. He also provided constructive criticism 

of an early draft. Mathew Blissett of Lincolnshire 

Wildlife Trust permitted access to 

Messingham Sand Quarry SSSI and 

commented on the section relating to that site. 

Reference: 

WESTON, R.P. (1983). ‘A Lincolnshire Epipactis.’ 

Watsonia 14(4): 457-458. 

GORONWY WYNNE, Gwylfa, Licswm, Holywell, Flintshire, CH8 8NQ 

During the 1970s and 1980s, while on the staff 

of the North East Wales Institute (previously 

Cartrefle College) at Wrexham, I built up an 

herbarium of some 1,000 sheets, mainly of 

plants collected in v.c.50 (Denbighshire) and 

v.c.51 (Flintshire). The collection was housed 

in herbarium cabinets at the College. It was 

registered in British and Irish herbaria by 

D.H.Kent and D.E.Allen (1984), p.71. 

During the 1990s, after my retirement, the 

College was re-sited to another location in 

Wrexham, and became part of what is now 

Glyndwr University. Unfortunately, due to a 

misunderstanding in the administration of the 

University, the herbarium was destroyed in 

August this year. When I made enquiries 

during November, I received a letter explaining 

that the Estates team were instructed, in error, 

to destroy the herbarium. The college authorities 

accepted responsibility for this unfortunate 

situation and offered their apologies. New 

administrative procedures have been put in 

place to try to avoid a similar loss in future.

16 

Notes – Relict woodland on the cliffs and within the waterfall ravines of Swaledale 

Relict woodland on the cliffs and within the waterfall ravines of 

Swaledale 

TIM LAURIE, Flat 3, 15 Pierremont Crescent, Darlington, Co. Durham, DL3 9PB; 

(tclaurie2000@yahoo.co.uk) 

This is a short introduction to a programme of 

current fieldwork designed to record the distribution 

of native tree species and woodland 

fragments throughout the River Swale catchment, 

west of Richmond. My intention is to 

publish a full account of the fieldwork in due 

course. For comparative purposes, adjacent 

areas within Wensleydale and the Tees–Greta 

Uplands (Stainmore) are also included. The 

area of this survey is very large (see Map, (p. 

21) which shows Upper Swaledale the first of 

six study areas). With few exceptions, records 

have been confined to localities at or above the 

moorland edge. Woods wholly within 

improved pastures have been excluded. Thus, 

the scope has been confined to woodland 

localities on or clearly visible from CROW 

Access Land. 

I have been concerned with the recording of 

archaeological landscapes throughout 

Wensleydale, Swaledale and the Swale – 

Tees/Greta Uplands (my study area) for 

almost 40 years, and was introduced to the 

significance of ancient woodland in the 

landscape by Andrew Fleming. It followed 

that no real understanding of the nature of 

early human activity in the Pennine Uplands 

(based on hunting and transhumance) was 

possible without considering the contemporary 

prehistoric woodland environment 

My purpose in undertaking this survey is to 

place on record the relict woodland vegetation 

at the remote waterfall ravines and on the 

extensive limestone cliffs of Swaledale and 

adjacent areas. These localities can be 

regarded as refugia for native trees and 

formerly more extensive woodland, worthy of 

record on aesthetic grounds as the final refuge 

of specimen trees of great age, of individual 

character and of many different species. Each 

locality has unique botanical interest, with 

plant communities reflecting different 

geology, aspect, aridity, accessibility and 

economic use or, more recently, modification 

from planting schemes. Each woodland 

locality may include specimen trees which 

possess an individual sculptural quality that 

reflects their hard and long life. Although 

having enjoyed a fairly intense interest in 

upland flora throughout my life, I am not a 

trained botanist and could not achieve the aims 

of this survey without the assistance and active 

participation of Linda Robinson (LR), one of 

the BSBI Recorders for v.c.65. LR has 

accompanied me on much of the fieldwork 

and all the credit for the botanical records 

must be assigned to her. 

The survival of native woodland on the 

limestone scars and in the waterfall ravines of 

Wensleydale differs from that of Swaledale, 

and today does not include Juniperus 

communis (Juniper), and only very rarely 

Taxus baccata (Yew). Populus tremula 

(Aspen) is common at lower elevations only. 

The vegetation of Stainmore resembles that of 

Upper Swaledale, except for the absence of 

Juniper. Plants, including trees, recorded at 

very many of the sites have been listed by LR. 

Mosses and lichens have not been recorded 

with the exception of the non-flowering flora 

recorded by Dr Allan Pentecost on the exceptional 

tufa formation at the head of the ravine 

at How Edge Scars. 

Preliminary conclusions on the data 

1. Limestone Ash-wood, with and without 

Yew, is limited to localities on or below the 

top of the Main Limestone. 

2. Aspen has been recorded in the Swale 

catchment above the confluence of Arkle 

Beck at a total of more than 20 sites. Aspen 

records are usually for cloned colonies 

where old ‘mother’ trees and three or four 

generations of young ramets springing from 

her roots are present. Regeneration of aspen 

is only possible when rabbit damage is 

minimal. Further work is necessary to deter-

Notes – Relict woodland on the cliffs and within the waterfall ravines of Swaledale 17 

mine whether these colonies are clones and 

of single sex. (see Colour Section, plate 3 

(1)). Elsewhere, Aspen has been recognised 

at Sleightholme Beck on Stainmore, on 

Deepdale Beck, and is widespread throughout 

UpperTeesdale and also in Lower 

Wensleydale. 

3. Juniper has been recognised to date at more 

than 40 localities in the Swale Catchment 

upstream of Ellerton Scar. The prostrate 

form of Juniper is thought to be present at all 

or most of the localities. 

4. As elsewhere throughout the uplands, the 

Junipers which survive in Swaledale are 

usually single bushes or isolated populations 

of less than four bushes at any one location. 

These Junipers are not viable and, sadly 

recent rabbit ring-barking has led to severe 

damage or the death of very many isolated 

bushes. (see CS, plate 3 (2)). 

5. Juniper has not yet been found on Stainmore 

within the Greta catchment, but has 

recently been identified by LR, together with 

Aspen, in Baldersdale. Both Aspen and 

Juniper are widespread elsewhere in Upper 

Teesdale. 

6. No recent record of Juniper in Wensleydale 

exists (Millward, 1988). 

7. Yews are perhaps the most impressive of 

the relict woodland trees of the limestone 

scars of Swaledale. The similar limestone 

cliffs of Wensleydale are devoid of Yews; 

most of the high limestone scars of Wensleydale 

are barren of any woodland vegetation 

for that matter. The cliff Yews of Swaledale 

are of exceptional value for every reason, 

both as surviving specimen trees of great 

beauty, and as a resource for future research. 

Many will, I am certain, prove to be of 

immense age. (see CS, plate 3 (3)). It has 

become apparent that the cliff yews may be 

cloned populations. 

8. Discussion of Aspen, Juniper and Yew 

should not deflect attention or detract from 

the significant populations of trees of other 

species – Fraxinus excelsior (Ash), Ulmus 

glabra (Wych Elm), Prunus padus (Bird 

Cherry), Prunus avium (Wild Cherry), 

Corylus avellana (Hazel), Rosa spp. (roses), 

Sorbus aucuparia (Rowan), rare Sorbus 

rupicola (Rock Whitebeam), Salix spp. 

(sallows and other willow species), all 

present on and below the limestone cliffs 

and within the waterfall ravines of 

Swaledale. 

9. The risk that Yews, Alnus glutinosa 

(Alders), elms and other trees will suddenly 

succumb to virus disease is ever present. For 

example a large population of Yews at West 

Applegarth includes a significant and 

growing number of recently dead trees. This 

dire situation needs to be monitored under a 

programme of research from a British 

university at local level. 

10. Finally, and perhaps most significantly, I 

shall draw attention to the existence of an 

extensive and healthy population of Tilia 

platyphyllos (Large-leaved Lime) trees, 

mostly managed coppice, but also self-coppiced 

ancient trees on the face and top edge 

of sheer limestone cliffs, in the woods of 

Lower Swaledale. This population is 

scattered for upwards of 2km on the southfacing 

cliffs, eastward from West Applegarth, 

beyond Willance’s Leap to Whitecliffe 

Woods. The presence of Large-leaved 

Limes in Swaledale, at the northern limit for 

this species in Britain, was, I believe, first 

recognised by Dr C.D. Pigott. 

Future contamination from planting schemes 

I know that I shall be treading on toes in 

expressing my view that the planting of 

inappropriate ‘berried’ shrubs (i.e. Crataegus 

monogyna (Hawthorn)) in vast numbers above 

sheltered ravines with native woodland which 

includes Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) but 

largely excludes Hawthorn will have long 

term effects which are not understood. The 

effects of this extensive planting on the native 

woodlands nearby are uncertain. As an 

example of the unforeseen consequences of 

plantation, may I refer the reader to the 

limestone cliff above Hooker Mill on the west 

facing slopes of Kisdon Hill, where a fine 

population of Aspen, Juniper (prostrate form) 

and ancient Yews is now (hopelessly) competing 

for space with a flourishing population of 

self seeded Larix europaea (Larch), which

18 


originates from a small mature plantation 

located below the cliff. (see CS, plate 3 (4)). 

The Larch plantation was planted a century 

ago for the best of landscape reasons, when the 

presence of the Aspen, Juniper and Yew on 

the cliff were probably not recognised. 

The woodland localities 

Space limitations preclude the addition of a 

detailed gazetteer here; however brief 

accounts of just two localities representative 

of a high limestone cliff and a waterfall ravine 

cut through sandstones and shales (with local 

enrichment from marine shales and tufa 

springs) can be included: 

1. Oxnop Scar (SD937952), 495m. (see CS, 

plate 3 (5 & 6)). West-facing sheer 

limestone cliff with Aspen on face of cliff 

and two Junipers. Surprisingly, this exposed 

high cliff also supports a varied relict 

woodland, with Ash, Blackthorn, Sambucus 

nigra (Elder), Hazel, and Rosa mollis 

(Downy Rose) at their local altitudinal limit. 

Thalictrum minus (Lesser Meadow-rue) is 

also present (Table 1). 

2. Great Ash Gill (NY869007), 420m. Stream 

cut ravine through Namurian Sandstones 

and mudstones with waterfalls, with two 

Aspen cloned colonies and two isolated 

Junipers (?prostrate form). Generally acidic 

vegetation, but with local enrichment from 

tufa springs just above the stream. Rubus 

saxatilis (Stone Bramble) and Gymnocarpium 

dryopteris (Oak Fern) are present 

(Table 1). 

Finally for further details of this on-going 

Woodland Project, the reader is referred to the 

Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeological 

Society (SWAAG) website: http://www. 

swaag.org, where accounts of the woodland 

fragments in their landscape setting and 

photographic portraits of all woodland localities 

visited are or will soon be available. 

Table 1. Vascular plant species lists from Great Ash Gill and Oxnop Scar, courtesy Linda 

Robinson 

Species Acidic rock; 

Great Ash Gill 

Limestone 

Oxnop Scar 

Acer pseudoplatanus * 

Achillea millefolium * 

Agrostis capillaris * 

Agrostis stolonifera * 

Alchemilla glabra * * 

Anthoxanthum odoratum * 

Arabis hirsuta * 

Arenaria leptoclados * 

Arenaria serpyllifolia * 

Asplenium ruta-muraria * 

Asplenium trichomanes * 

Asplenium viride * 

Bellis perennis * 

Betula pubescens * 

Blechnum spicant * 

Calluna vulgaris * 

Campanula rotundifolia * * 

Cardamine hirsuta * 

Cardamine pratensis *

Notes – Relict woodland on the cliffs and within the waterfall ravines of Swaledale 19 

Carduus nutans * 

Carex caryophyllea * 

Carex flacca * 

Carex panicea * 

Cerastium fontanum * * 

Chamerion angustifolium * * 

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium * 

Cirsium palustre * * 

Cirsium vulgare * 

Corylus avellana * 

Crataegus monogyna * * 

Crepis paludosa * 

Cruciata laevipes * 

Cynosurus cristatus * 

Cystopteris fragilis * * 

Digitalis purpurea * 

Draba incana * 

Dryopteris dilatata * 

Dryopteris submontana * 

Epilobium brunnescens * 

Epilobium montanum * 

Erica tetralix * 

Eriophorum vaginatum * 

Euphrasia confusa * 

Euphrasia sp. * 

Festuca ovina * 

Festuca rubra * 

Fragaria vesca * 

Fraxinus excelsior * 

Galium saxatile * 

Galium sterneri * 

Galium verum * 

Geranium lucidum * 

Geranium robertianum * * 

Geum rivale * 

Gymnocarpium dryopteris * 

Hedera helix * 

Helianthemum nummularium * 

Heracleum sphondylium * 

Hieracium sp. * * 

Holcus lanatus * 

Hornumgia petraea * 

Hypericum pulchrum * 

Juncus effusus *

20 


Juncus squarrosus * 

Juniperus communis ssp. nana * * 

Koeleria macrantha * 

Linum catharticum * 

Luzula pilosa * 

Luzula sylvatica * 

Molinia caerulea * 

Montia fontana * 

Mycelis muralis * 

Myosotis arvensis * 

Nardus stricta * 

Oxalis acetosella * * 

Pilosella officinarum * 

Pimpinella saxifraga * 

Pinguicula vulgaris * 

Plantago lanceolata * 

Poa annua * * 

Populus tremula * * 

Potentilla erecta * 

Potentilla sterilis * * 

Primula vulgaris * 

Prunella vulgaris * * 

Prunus spinosa * 

Ranunculus acris * * 

Ranunculus repens * 

Rubus saxatilis * 

Rumex acetosa * * 

Rumex acetosella * 

Sagina procumbens * 

Sambucus nigra * 

Saxifraga hypnoides * 

Scabiosa columbaria * 

Sedum acre * 

Senecio jacobaea * * 

Sesleria caerulea * 

Solidago virgaurea * 

Sorbus aucuparia * * 

Stellaria alsine * 

Taraxacum agg. * 

Teucrium scorodonia * 

Thalictrum minus * 

Thymus polytrichus * 

Trichophorum germanicum *

Notes – Relict woodland in Swaledale / Two peloric forms of Ophrys sphegodes in Dorset 21 

Trifolium repens * 

Tussilago farfara * 

Urtica dioica * * 

Vaccinium myrtillus * 

Veronica arvensis * 

Veronica chamaedrys * 

Veronica officinalis * 

Veronica serpyllifolia * 

Vicia sepium * 

Viola lutea * 

Viola riviniana * * 

Discovery of two unrecorded peloric forms of Ophrys sphegodes in 

Dorset, 2010 

MICHAEL R. CHALK, 7 Allendale Avenue, Emsworth, Hants., PO10 7TJ 

Introduction 

The normal Ophrys sphegodes (Early Spiderorchid) 

flower consists of a perianth of six 

segments (bilaterally symmetrical), arranged 

in an outer and inner whorl, at the top of the 

flower stalk (pedicel), which includes the 

ovary. The outer perianth segments are large, 

pointed oblong and yellow-green in colour, 

with slightly wavy margins. The upper, outer 

perianth segment arches over the central 

column or rostellum and the upper inner whorl 

is made up of three petals, of which two are 

alike and are similar to the outer sepals. These 

are tinged orange-brown on the margins. The 

third is much larger, coloured and marked, and 

is known as the labellum or lip. The labellum is 

velvety brown, with a furry hump on either side. 

In the centre there is a silver-grey ‘H’ mark, 

rarely red. The central column houses the 

pollinia, on each side, in pouches known as the 

thecae. There are pseudo eyes, which are an 

iridescent greenish grey.

22 

Naturally occurring floral abnormalities can 

be found in natural populations of orchids, 

although rare. Peloric mutations have radially 

symmetrical (actinomorphic) flowers, but 

occur in species characterised by bilaterally 

symmetric (zygomorphic) flowers. 

Plant A (see inside back cover) typifies 

actinomorphism, with the labellum absent, 

showing only outer and inner perianth 

segments of normal colouration. A deviation 

in whorls has occurred, with an arrangement 

of five flowers on the stalk bearing four, four, 

five, and four segmented perianths. The third 

flower failed to open. All flowers had three 

anther caps, with pollinia intact but sealed 

within the thecae, thus any form of pollination 

would not be viable. This form is extreme and 

was unlikely to attract any pollinators. 

Plant B (see inside back cover) shows an 

interesting and not unattractive mutant. The 

flower stalk bears three flowers, two of which 

are fully open. The lower flower has a normal 

reflexed labellum, with upper and inner petals. 

Two have become fused. The second flower 

has no labellum or a vestige of one, and this 

has upper and inner petals (three) showing 

hypochromy, a white colour anomaly, very 

rare with this taxon, with greenish-yellow 

veining. One petal on each flower shows part 

labelloid, part petalloid structure. This 

suggests an incomplete cyc-1 gene mutation 

(petal development). Both flowers have three 

anther caps, with pollinia intact and viable, 

fully capable of visiting insect withdrawal. 

The plant itself is probably sterile, as with 

plant A. The top flower, with five anther caps, 

remained in a petal ‘bonnet’-type structure. 

On visiting the plant at a later date this structure 

had not unfurled. 

On re-visiting the Dorset site in 2011, both 

peloric plants had re-appeared; not in itself 

unusual owing to the level of mutation and the 

lack of labellums on plant A and part-labellums 

on plant B. These mutational changes 

Notes – Two peloric forms of Ophrys sphegodes in Dorset 

will make for unusual growth patterns and 

will appear for two to three seasons. The 

normal plants of Ophrys sphegodes will reflower 

at least two to three times depending 

on appropriate site management, grazing and 

weather patterns. On examining plant A, this 

had three perianths, two less than the 2010 

plant. The second, four-segmented perianth 

displayed a further evolutionary change, and 

shows one half labelloid and the other half 

petaloid. Plant B exhibited no further 

mutational changes. 

Acknowledgement: 

I am grateful to my friend and fellow botanical 

adventurer, Andrew Merrick, for pointing out 

Plant B, having missed it! 

References : 

HUFFORD, I. (1996). The anther form, function 

and phylogeny. Cambridge University 

Press, Cambridge. 

PRESTON, J.C. & HILLMAN, L.C. (2009). 

‘Developmental genetics of floral symmetry 

evolution’. Trends in Plant Science 14(3): 

147-154. Elsevier, Holland. 

RAJKUMARI, J.D. & LONGJAM, R.S. (1993). 

‘Mutant flowers in evolution’. Abst. Suppl., 

17 th Int. Cong. Genetics: Genetics and the 

understsanding of life, d. 130, pp 6–7. 

Birmingham. 

WITHNER, C.L., NELSON, P.K. & WEJKSNORA, 

P.J. (1974). ‘The anatomy of orchids’. in: 

C.L. Withner (ed.) The orchids: scientific 

studies, 267-348. Wiley Interscience, New 

York. 

CARPENTER, R. & COEN E.S. (1990) ‘Floral 

homeotic mutations produced by transposon 

mutagenesis in Antirrhinum majus’. Genes 

Dev. 4: 1483-1493. 

RUNDALL P.J. & BATEMAN, R.M. (2003). 

‘Evolutionary change in flowers and inflorescences: 

evidence from naturally occurring 

terata’. Trends in Plant Science 8(2): 

76-82. Elsevier, Holland.

Notes – Archaeophyte herbal plants of the River Tweed 23 

Archaeophyte herbal plants of the River Tweed 

MICHAEL BRAITHWAITE, ‘Clarilaw’, Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland, TD9 8PT 

On 8 th August 2011, I was botanising in 

Berwickshire (v.c.81), on a steep bank at 

Dalcove Braes (NT63), overlooking the River 

Tweed, and paused for my lunch (see Colour 

Section, plate 4). The bank is a coarse 

conglomerate of sand and gravel, which may be 

the oldest stratum of the Upper Old Red 

Sandstone rather than a glacial moraine. It 

erodes to maintain an open habitat, colonised 

by rank weeds, especially Carduus crispus 

(Welted Thistle). I noticed a large rosette of 

leaves which did not seem quite right for a 

thistle, and this I inspected after finishing my 

lunch. I was baffled, and collected a leaf. It 

took input from my wife, Paddy, to identify it 

as Hyoscyamus niger (Henbane). Re-visiting 

the site, I found a dozen flowering or fruiting 

plants of the Henbane, obscured by the thistles, 

and 168 rosettes of this biennial plant spread 

over 150m of the bank, suggesting a long-established 

colony. Associated species included 

Ballota nigra (Black Horehound), Conium 

maculatum (Hemlock), Echium vulgare 

(Viper’s Bugloss), Malva sylvestris (Common 

Mallow) and Reseda luteola (Weld). 

Henbane, once cultivated for use as an anaesthetic 

and for the hallucinations it can induce, 

had not been seen in Berwickshire since 1956, 

and I had not expected to re-find it, except 

perhaps on a building site round one of the 

villages near the coast, where it was known in 

the distant past and where viable buried seed 

might still persist. Interestingly, Henbane was 

reported at or near the Dalcove site in the 

second volume of George Johnston’s A flora of 

Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1831. There, it is 

given for “North bank of the Tweed opposite 

Littledean Castle, Mr R.D. Thomson”. Littledean 

Tower is on the south (Roxburghshire) 

side of the Tweed 1.5km upstream of Dalcove 

Braes. So we do indeed have persuasive 

evidence of a long-established colony of 

Henbane far away from sandy habitats at the 

coast, as Dalcove Braes is 40km from the sea. 

This is a rare occurrence for Scotland. 

Dalcove Braes lies immediately below the 

small farmstead of Old Dalcove, where a 

small house stands to this day, and this may be 

where the herbs were cultivated. There must 

surely have been a link with the hospital 

associated with Rutherford village, immediately 

across the river. The exact location of 

the hospital is not known, so it could have 

been at Dalcove. It was dedicated to St Mary 

Magdalene and was first recorded in 1276, 

though it may have been founded by James I 

of Scotland (1153-1163). Such hospitals often 

cared as much for travellers as for the sick and 

were frequently found near a river crossing. 

There was still a ferry across the Tweed at this 

point in 1863 and a ford nearby. The hospital 

and the village were destroyed by the English 

in 1544. The 1863 map shows an island in the 

Tweed at this point, with the stream on its 

north side undercutting Dalcove Braes. The 

braes are now separated from the river by a 

broad haugh, and the erosion, aided by cattle 

plodging that maintains the open habitat, may 

be slowing, as the erosion debris at the base of 

the bank is no longer washed away. The line 

of the former river channel is still visible on 

the haugh and its western limit is marked by a 

venerable Alder. 

My mind then turned to the associated 

species: Ballota, Conium, Echium, Malva and 

Reseda. All these, like the Hyoscyamus, were 

cultivated in the past. The Ballota was 

sometimes used as an infusion; the Conium as 

a poultice and as a poison; the Echium as an 

aphrodisiac, and its roots as a red dye; the 

Malva as a poultice on wounds and the Reseda 

as a yellow dye. Unlike the Hyoscyamus, these 

four species have a series of sites in Berwickshire, 

often on sandstone rock exposures along 

the Tweed, though there are additional sites 

near habitation. A suspicion grew in my mind 

that something has been going on here that I 

had not considered before. Could it be that 

there was a small group of plants that had been 

cultivated as herbal plants, as in all probability 

at Dalcove, and had naturalised down the 

Tweed in this specialised habitat? The river 

banks and river gravels have long been known 

as habitats for a range of aliens, both archaeo-

24 

phyte and neophyte, including herbal and 

cottage garden plants like Chenopodium bonushenricus 

(Good-King-Henry), Hesperis matronalis 

(Dame’s Violet), Myrrhis odorata (Sweet 

Cicely) and, I would argue, Symphytum 

tuberosum (Tuberous Comfrey). But what 

about the sandstone outcrops? 

Species typical of the sandstone outcrops, in 

addition to the Ballota, Conium, Echium, 

Malva and Reseda, are Dipsacus fullonum 

(Teasel) and Lactuca virosa (Great Lettuce). 

The Lactuca is also a herbal plant, once used 

as a sedative. The odd one out is the Dipsacus 

and this just might hold the key to my hypothesis. 

For the Dipsacus was not recorded 

beside the Tweed until 1893 and, as the earlier 

nineteenth-century botanists could hardly 

have missed such a prominent species, this 

makes it a recent neophyte in this habitat. So 

how did it get there? First there needs to have 

been a source and, while George Johnston 

writing in 1853 records having once seen a 

small field planted with Teasel near Melrose, 

that is likely to have been Dipsacus sativus 

(Fuller’s Teasel), grown for use in the tweed 

mills, so garden plants grown for ornament 

seem a more likely source. Then there needs 

to be a distribution route. Dipsacus is adapted 

for the distribution of its spiny fruits by 

animals but there is no reason why the river 

should not also play a part. But an essential 

element is the availability of landing stages 

and these are not lacking. The sandstone rock 

exposures by the Tweed reach right down to 

the river so the habitat is right there where 

seeds might be washed up in a flood. Once a 

plant is established on the rocks it will 

colonise upwards over time. 

I suggest that this recent example supports 

the hypothesis that the other species in my 

group could have colonised in the same way. 

But, you may ask, surely some of them are 

native species? The Echium is almost 

certainly native on the Northumberland coast, 

but not necessarily so up the River Tweed. 

The Conium likewise might be native near the 

coast, but inland it is strongly associated with 

old buildings and, at least until recently, the 

Tweedside colonies were much the most 

extensive ones away from the coast. I have 

Notes – Archaeophyte herbal plants of the River Tweed 

observed it with some surprise on the ruins of 

Overton Tower, at 250m above Camptown 

near Jedburgh, and it grows by an old byre at 

our own home at Clarilaw, which much predates 

the Victorian farmhouse. I had always 

imagined the Lactuca to be native as its habitat 

on the cliffs is so very distinctive, but, after 

learning of its herbal uses, I am now inclined 

to change my mind. 

If these species are indeed archaeophytes, the 

dates of their first introduction become of 

interest. Alas, one cannot determine those from 

distribution patterns alone. Some of the introductions 

could date back to prehistory, but I 

leave further speculation to archaeologists. 

Two further taxa might be considered: Hypericum 

perforatum (Perforate St John’s-wort) and 

H. ×desetangsii (Hybrid St John’s-wort). The 

latter in particular is extraordinarily frequent by 

the Tweed in the absence of H. maculatum 

(Imperforate St John’s-wort), both on the river 

banks and round the edge of the sandstone 

cliffs. Hypericum species, particularly 

H. perforatum, have also been used by herbalists. 

Neither taxon is necessarily native inland 

in the Scottish Borders but their present distribution 

may owe more to the coming of the 

railways than to herbalists, for they spread 

freely along the ballast and seed would have 

reached the river from the railway bridges. 

So my hypothesis is this. There is an interesting 

group of archaeophyte herbal plants 

that have colonised the sandstone cliffs by the 

River Tweed outside their native ranges that 

comprise some or all of the following: Ballota 

nigra (Black Horehound), Conium maculatum 

(Hemlock), Echium vulgare (Viper’s 

Bugloss), Hypericum perforatum (Perforate St 

John’s-wort), H. ×desetangsii (Hybrid St 

John’s-wort), Lactuca virosa (Great Lettuce), 

Malva sylvestris (Common Mallow) and 

Reseda luteola (Weld). If you still consider 

one or two of these to be native, even inland in 

the hill-girdled Tweed Valley, I won’t hold it 

against you, as we will never all come to agree 

on the subject of status, but, please, at least 

allow me to sow some seeds of thought in your 

mind as to what to take into account when next 

you consider native and alien status in a 

regional context.

Notes – Archaeophyte herbal plants of the R. Tweed / Enigma of Elytrigia campestris ssp. maritima 25 

References: 

HARDING, G.R., The Hospital of Saint Mary 

Magdalene at Rutherford. 

(www.genealogy.com) 

JOHNSTON, G. (1829, 1831). A flora of 

Berwick-upon-Tweed. J. Carfrae & Son, 

Edinburgh, and Longman, London. 

Neglected Couch: the enigma of Elytrigia campestris ssp. maritima - 

a confused couch! 

MIKE WILCOX, 32 Shawbridge Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1LZ; 

(michaelpw22@hotmail.com) 

In earlier floras Elytrigia campestris ssp. 

maritima went through various name changes, 

e.g.: Agropyron maritimum (Koch & Ziz) 

Jansen & Wachter, (Clapham et al., 1962) and 

Elymus repens ssp. arenosus auct. non 

(Spenn.) Melderis, and is retained as such in 

this genus by some to this day (Cope & Gray, 

2009). With the useful practical solution of 

separating the rhizomatous couches into 

Elytrigia, it became Elytrigia repens ssp. 

arenosa auct. non (Spenn.) Á. Löve, (Stace, 

1997). However, in the present flora (Stace, 

2010), it is placed as a subspecies within a 

European taxon called Elytrigia campestris 

JOHNSTON, G. (1853). The natural history of 

the eastern Borders. J. van Voorst, London. 

Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic 

Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). 

Rutherford Village. 

(www.accessingscotlandspast.org.uk) 

Ordnance Survey Maps Six-inch 1st Edition, Berwickshire Sheet XXXI, surveyed 1858, 

published 1862.JPG 

(Godr. & Gren.) Kerguélen, which is given the 

new epithet of ‘ssp. maritima’ (Tzvelev) H. 

Scholz (Scholz, 1998), and, for us at least, has 

the English name Neglected Couch. 

This is undoubtedly a confused couch grass. 

Material was studied in detail by Trist (1995), 

who showed some variable aspects to the 

characters of this so-called taxon. Material 

was looked at in this study from several 

herbaria where it occurred, as this was part of 

a wider study of Elytrigia hybrids. For 

Neglected Couch, material has also been 

reviewed that was used in the taxonomic and 

nomenclatural changes by Scholz (1998).

26 

Material was sought from Berlin Dahlem 

museum (B) of both Elytrigia campestris 

(revised to ssp. campestris in Scholz, 1998) 

and some plants that had been re-named ssp. 

maritima. 

All the material seen in UK herbaria so far 

was either small to medium-sized Elytrigia 

repens (L.) Desv. (Common Couch), 

E. atherica (Link) Kerguélen (Sea Couch), or 

the hybrid between the two. The binomial for 

the latter is currently E. ×drucei Stace. This 

name is likely to stand correct, but there 

appear to be one or two problems surrounding 

the identification of some plants relating to the 

nomenclatural updates given in Stace (2001). 

A further note will be given on this topic at a 

later date. 

In NMW, specimens re-determined by Trist 

were, in my opinion, small E. repens (NMW, 

numbers: 35.179.543; 29.527.189; 29.527.190 

and 51.260.78). The first three of these sheets 

are G.A. Ringselle’s, each being a duplicate 

for Plantae Suecicae, (Trist, 1995: 390). 

Table 1. E. campestris ssp. campestris: floral, leaf and sheath characters 

Character B10 0020433–94/2009-1 B10 0325536–94/2009-2 

Fertility Fertile – anthers dehisced Fertile – anthers dehisced 

Main ridges in TS Distinct elevated round topped Distinct elevated round topped 

Sheath margin hairs Appear clean and glabrous Appear clean and glabrous 

No. spikes per sheet 5 spikes 2 spikes 

Other Cataphylls with hairs on margin Not visible 

Leaves Without long hairs but scabrid Without long hairs but scabrid 

Some of the plants used in the typification of 

ssp. maritima Scholz were also reviewed 

(Table 2. These two plants, on different 

sheets, were labelled by Scholz as E. campestris 

ssp. maritima. 

Table 2. General aspects of plants on sheets: B10 0325537–94/2009-3 and B10 0325538– 

94/2009-4 

Character B10 0325537–94/2009-3 B10 0325538–94/2009-4 

Fertility Anthers indehiscent Fertile – anthers dehisced 

Main ridges in TS confused round-flat-topped Mainly flat-topped 

Sheath margin hairs Distinct hairs on free-margin Distinct hairs on free-margin 

No. spikes per sheet 8 spikes + shoots 2 spikes + 1 shoot 

Other Widest leaf 4.5mm Widest leaf 5mm 

Leaves No long-hairs seen, barely 

scabrid 

Notes – Enigma of Elytrigia campestris ssp. maritima 

Material was also looked at from Spurn 

Point, Hull (v.c.61) and sites listed by Cook 

(1999). Visits to the sites showed a similar 

situation to that given above for the herbarium 

material. However, the situation there seemed 

to be that, on more open bare ground and near 

to and on the tracks, plants were more often 

small forms of E. atherica, which became 

taller and denser on the sides of the tracks. 

Elytrigia atherica seems to occur in good 

numbers in this area, with some hybrid plants 

scattered around, whereas in other areas 

hybrids seem to be very common, with 

E. atherica being rare or absent (Greenwood, 

2004). 

The specimens from Berlin Dahlem museum 

(courtesy of H. Scholz) were also in question, 

based on plants known and since reviewed in 

Britain. Some of the plants from the Berlin 

Dahlem museum, Germany are summarised in 

the tables below. Two plants sent here as 

E. campestris ssp. campestris are summarised 

in Table 1. 

No long hairs seen, barely 

scabrid

Notes – Enigma of Elytrigia campestris ssp. maritima 27 

E. campestris ssp. campestris was a distinct 

grass and, although the key in Scholtz (1998) 

says that it has the leaf sheath margins 

glabrous (or rarely with hairs on the free 

margin), two other plants of E. campestris 

reviewed had hairs on the free margin, but still 

appeared to be E. campestris s. str., based on 

the rib characters of the upper surface of the 

leaves. The main ribs of this taxon are 

distinctly rounded and often spaced from one 

another, with a smaller, rounded rib between. 

This species clearly has affinities to E. atherica 

and that relationship needs to be looked at, 

although it does appear distinct from the latter, 

of which the main ribs are distinctly flattopped, 

more or less square in transverse 

section (TS). 

The plants of E. campestris ssp. maritima 

Scholz, on two separate sheets, were clearly 

two different taxa. Plant B10 0325538– 

94/2009-4 was E. atherica, with distinct, flattopped 

ribs (in TS), and appeared to be dehiscent. 

Plant B10 0325537–94/2009-3 was 

originally labelled as a hybrid on the sheet. 

There were eight spikes on the sheet, roughly 

74 spikelets in total, with an average of about 

three flowers per spikelet, and (approximately) 

all 222 flowers had indehiscent 

anthers. The anthers were clearly small, dark 

brown, and the pollen grains sterile. This 

plant is a hybrid between E. atherica and 

E. repens (E. ×drucei Stace). These plants 

have rounded to confused, rounded-flattopped 

ribs (in TS), and so they appeared 

superficially like E. campestris sensu stricto. 

Some plants of E. atherica × E. repens exhibit 

the long hairs found in E. repens on the upper 

surface of the leaves, but they are usually 

sparse to scattered and/or absent. In this case, 

none were seen, as it is not possible to unroll 

all the leaves to check for this character 

without splitting them. 

From these limited findings it showed that 

the grass E. campestris ssp. maritima is an 

enigma and apparently confused with either 

small to medium-sized forms of E. repens, 

E. atherica and their hybrid. Therefore, 

though it is only one opinion, technically 

E. campestris ssp. maritima does not exist, 

regardless of the name applied to it now or in 

the past, and E. campestris s. str. remains a 

single taxon, which has not been detected in 

Britain. As a number of the plants are 

E. atherica × E. repens (E. ×drucei Stace), 

then perhaps the English name of this hybrid 

couch should be ‘Confused Couch’ to reflect 

this chequered history. 


Thanks to Prof. H. Scholz for sending material 

from Berlin-Dahlem, and his herbarium staff. 

Also, thanks to Manchester Museum (Lindsey 

Loughtman), NMW and OXF. 

References: 

CLAPHAM, A.R., TUTIN, T.G. & WARBURG, 

E.F. (1962). Flora of the British Isles. (2 nd 

ed.). Cambridge University Press, 

Cambridge. 

COOK, P.J. (1999). ‘Elytrigia repens (L.) 

Desv., ex Nevski subsp. arenosa (Spenner) 

Á Löve (Poaceae) in south-east Yorkshire 

(v.c.61)’. Watsonia 22: 421. 

COPE, T. & GRAY, A. (2009). Grasses of the 

British Isles. Botanical Society of the British 

Isles, London. BSBI Handbook No. 13. 

GREENWOOD, E.F. (2004). ‘Coastal Elytrigia 

species and hybrids in north-western 

England and northern Wales’. BSBI News 

95: 15-19. 

SCHOLZ, H. (1998). ‘Taxonomy and nomenclature 

of ‘Elytrigia maritima’ Tzvelev’. 

Bulletin Société pour l’échange des plantes 

vasculaires de l’Europe et du bassin 

Méditerranéen 27: 102-104. 

STACE, C.A. (1997). New flora of the British 

Isles. (2 nd ed.). Cambridge University Press, 

Cambridge. 

STACE, C.A. (2001). ‘The interspecific 

hybrids of the rhizomatous couches, Elytrigia 

Desv. (Poaceae)’. Watsonia 23: 543-547. 


Isles. (3 rd ed.). Cambridge University Press, 

Cambridge. 

TRIST, P.J.O. (1995). ‘Elytrigia repens (L.) 

Desv., ex Nevski subsp. arenosa (Spenner) 

Á. Löve (Poaceae) in north-western 

Europe’. Watsonia 20: 385-390.

28 

Monitoring the fate of Glaucium flavum (Yellow Horned-poppy) at 

Sand Bay, North Somerset 

MARGARET A. WEBSTER, 18 Lye Mead, Winford, Bristol, BS40 8AU 

HELENA J. CROUCH, Bronwen, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol, BS39 7LP 

Glaucium flavum (Yellow Horned-poppy) is a 

short-lived maritime perennial. Plants do not 

flower until their second year and live for up 

to about five years. It is predominantly a 

colonist of free-draining shingle or sand, 

appearing to be intolerant of water-logging 

and showing a marked preference for basic 

substrates (Scott, 1963). 

Nationally this species can be found around 

the coasts of England and Wales, extending in 

the east northwards to Spurn Point (v.c.61, 

S.E.Yorks.), then with a few isolated occurrences 

north to Fife and on the west coast 

northwards to Arran (v.c.100) and Great 

Cumbrae (v.c.99). In Ireland it is largely 

restricted to the eastern and southern coasts, 

but scattered in the west, north to Galway Bay. 

In North Somerset (v.c.6) Glaucium flavum 

had declined dramatically by the beginning of 

the twentieth century, which White (1912) 

attributed to the pressure of tourists. Sightings 

since then have been sporadic. Roe (1981) 

declared it “completely gone”, the last known 

records being at Burnham in 1924 and 

Kewstoke Bay in 1917. However, a solitary 

plant was found in 1956 on shingle near the 

base of Brean Down (Willis, 1982). In 1981, 

a large flowering plant was seen at Burnham; 

a single seedling was found in 1982 at 

Kewstoke Bay (Sand Bay) and one plant was 

recorded on the south side of Brean Down in 

1992. These were the last records until 2008. 

The decline and loss of Glaucium flavum in 

North Somerset was attributed to habitat 

degradation and trampling by tourists. Its 

former abundance and sporadic re-appearances 

suggest that, although there is little 

shingle along the coast here, the substrate is 

not unsuitable. Yet despite re-colonisation 

episodes, until 2008 this species had failed to 

become re-established in North Somerset. 

When, in the summer of 2008, 39 young plants 

of Glaucium flavum were observed along the 

length of the strandline in Sand Bay, this gave 

Notes – Monitoring the fate of Glaucium flavum in v.c.6 

an opportunity for monitoring either the establishment 

or the failure of a natural population 

of the species in this area. 

Sand Bay (also referred to as Kewstoke Bay) 

lies just north of the town of Weston-super- 

Mare, and is bounded by two rocky promontories: 

Worlebury Hill to the south and Sand 

Point to the north. The bay is backed by a 

narrow band of sand dunes for most of its 

length, while the northern end has a growing 

section of salt marsh. Composition of the 

beach varies from sand to a mix of sand and 

shingle, with muddy sand further to seaward. 

The whole bay is part of the Severn Estuary 

SSSI and is a botanically important site. 

Fifteen other v.c.6 Rare Plant Register species 

have post-1987 records: Althaea officinalis 

(Marsh-mallow), Atriplex laciniata (Frosted 

Orache), Atriplex littoralis (Grass-leaved 

Orache), Atriplex portulacoides (Sea-purslane), 

Carex extensa (Long-bracted Sedge), 

Cynoglossum officinale (Hound’s-tongue), 

Honckenya peploides (Sea Sandwort), Juncus 

maritimus (Sea Rush), Parapholis incurva 

(Curved Hard-grass), Salicornia dolichostachya 

(Long-spiked Glasswort), Salsola kali 

ssp. kali (Prickly Saltwort), Calystegia 

soldanella (Sea Bindweed), Eryngium maritimum 

(Sea-holly), Polygonum oxyspermum 

ssp. raii (Ray’s Knotgrass) and Trifolium 

squamosum (Sea Clover), although the last 

four are feared lost. 

Monitoring methodology 

The first monitoring of young Glaucium 

flavum plants was carried out in early September 

2008. The position of each plant was 

recorded using a GPS, and, in addition, the 

size of each plant was recorded on each visit, 

this being the width of rosette measured across 

the widest part of the plant. This was repeated 

in November 2008, and in March, July, 

September and December of 2009. Photographs 

of some sites were taken as records.

Notes – Monitoring the fate of Glaucium flavum in v.c.6 29 

Distribution of new seedlings was noted, as 

was the number of plants flowering and 

producing ripe seed. A search for new 

seedlings was carried out at intervals during 

2010 and 2011. 

Results 

Thirty-seven plants were found at the first 

monitoring in September 2008, but already 

two plants which had been seen at the time of 

Table 1: Number of plants seen on each visit 

Sept 

2008 

discovery could no longer be found. The 

number of plants seen on each visit is shown 

in Table 1. The greatest concentration of 

plants was found in the centre of the bay. 

Additional plants were found in November 

2008 and July 2009, but, despite this, the 

number of extant plants declined steadily on 

each visit and only two plants remained by 

December 2009. 

Nov 

2008 

Mar 

2009 

Jul 

2009 

Sept 

2009 

Dec 

2009 

No. of new plants recorded 37 6 0 5 0 0 0 

No. of plants lost 2* 17 8 7 10 4 2 

No. of plants present 37 26 18 16 6 2 0 

Total seen to date 39 45 45 50 50 50 50 

*2 plants seen at time of discovery could not be found during first monitoring visit 

Using the recorded GPS coordinates, it was 

possible to check each of the original 37 plant 

positions at every visit so that where plants 

were lost we could consider possible reasons. 

We observed that in 2009 the predominant 

cause of plant loss was burial: by debris washed 

up by spring tides (see Colour Section, plate 

2(1)), and subsequently by blown sand, which 

accreted sufficiently to cover the debris entirely 

(see CS, plate 2(2)). In this way new foredunes 

were continuously built in a seaward 

direction during 2008 and 2009. From the 

position of a line of Malva arborea (Tree-mallows), 

which it could be postulated had arisen 

from seed washed up in the past, it appeared 

that the dune system had recently advanced 

seaward considerably (see CS, plate 2(3)). As 

the new fore-dunes became colonised, competition 

ensued, so that the habitat eventually 

became less favourable for the emergence of 

Glaucium flavum seedlings. The five new 

seedlings found in 2009 were not on the current 

strandline, but were further back in sand where 

the 2008 fore-dunes and/or strandline may have 

been. These seedlings did not survive. No 

Glaucium flavum plant that was lost was ever 

re-discovered on subsequent visits. 

Measurements of plant size (maximum 

width of rosette) showed no relationship with 

fate of plant (Table 2). The largest plant sizes 

Mar 

2010 

were recorded in November 2008 (plants in 

their first year). Most plants decreased in size. 

Where an individual plant continued to 

decline in size in 2009, it was observed to be 

due to constant burial by either debris or 

blown sand. The seedlings could not outgrow 

the accretion rate. Plants of all sizes 

succumbed to burial (see CS, plate 2(5)). The 

two plants remaining in December 2009 were 

considerably different in size at all times. 

Of the six plants that flowered, four were 

amongst the largest in November 2008, two 

were amongst the smallest. The two 

Glaucium flavum plants that survived to 

produce ripe seed were not large plants at 

flowering, but produced four and five seed 

pods respectively. Both had been lost by 

December 2009. 

In early March 2010, very high spring tides 

removed all of the fore-dunes that had built up 

during 2009. The remaining two Glaucium 

flavum plants were lost at this time. Large 

amounts of debris were thrown up on to the 

fixed dunes and by July 2010 plants normally 

associated with the strandline at Sand Bay, 

such as Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima (Sea 

Beet), Atriplex laciniata, Salsola kali ssp. kali 

and a few Atriplex littoralis were to be found 

growing through the debris (see CS, plate 

2(6)).

30 

Size (cm) 

Nov 2008 

Table 2: Size of plant in November 2008 and fate in 2009-2010 

Size (cm)/fate 

Mar 2009 


Jul 2009 


Sept 2009 


Dec 2009 

19 8 flowered lost 0 0 

18 10 flowered fruited lost 0 

17 11 9 lost 0 0 

16 ? flowered lost 0 0 

16 lost 0 0 0 0 


15 10 lost 0 0 0 

12 4 lost 0 0 0 

12 lost 0 0 0 0 

12 15 12 11 ALIVE lost 

10 lost 0 0 0 0 

10 lost 0 0 0 0 

10 8 ? lost 0 0 

10 12 flowered fruited lost 0 

7 5 lost 0 0 0 

6 5 8 7 ALIVE lost 


4 4 7 6 lost 0 

No Glaucium flavum seedlings were found, 

either in the debris on the fixed dune system or 

on the new strandline. To allow for possible 

seed germination in the second year, 

occasional monitoring was carried out during 

spring and summer of 2011, but no seedlings 

were found. 

Discussion 

Glaucium flavum is predominantly a plant of 

shingle or sandy beaches, colonising bare 

ground in well-drained sites that are generally, 

except for the highest spring tides, above the 

high tide line (Scott, 1963). The seedlings at 

Sand Bay were distributed along the 2008 

strandline, with some of the plants at the 

extreme landward edge of this. The amount of 

vegetation that might be expected either on a 

sandy or a shingle beach will inevitably 

depend on the stability of the beach. It is 

considered that for short-lived perennials, 

such as Glaucium flavum, to become established 

the beach should remain stable for a 

period of more than three years (Randall, 

Notes – Monitoring the fate of Glaucium flavum in v.c.6 

Fate 

Mar 2010 

2004). Observations from 2009 to 2010 show 

the Sand Bay strandline to be extremely unstable. 

This is illustrated by images of the site 

backed by a line of Malva arborea taken 

during 2009 and 2010 (see CS, plate 2 (3 & 4). 

The large fore-dunes had been completely 

eroded in March 2010 and replaced with 

shingle by September. The Malva arborea 

had died by September 2010, but the remains 

of the plants were still visible. The beach at 

Sand Bay has not remained stable and so may 

never become a suitable habitat for Glaucium 

flavum. 

At Sand Bay there is shingle on parts of the 

beach, but none above the high tide line, 

which is sand. Experiments on the effect of 

substrate on seedling establishment, both by 

greenhouse and field trials at Sizewell beach, 

found that Glaucium flavum emergence was 

greater in sandy plots but that survivorship and 

growth were greater in shingle plots 

(Walmsley & Davy, 1997a). At Sizewell 

beach, as at Sand Bay, Glaucium flavum

Notes – Monitoring the fate of Glaucium flavum in v.c.6 31 

seedlings exhibited a high mortality rate. 

However, at Sizewell, burial was described as 

being through tidal inundation, whereas at 

Sand Bay burial during 2009 was by tidal 

debris and also by large volumes of blown 

sand. The slower growth of Glaucium flavum 

in sandy plots at Sizewell was described as 

“unexplained”, but at Sand Bay it was 

observed that even where tidal inundation was 

not a factor, blown sand accreted faster than 

the seedlings could grow. This accretion 

favoured other strandline species, such as 

Salsola kali ssp. kali, Atriplex laciniata and 

Atriplex littoralis. These species, although 

very abundant in 2009, were found in much 

smaller quantities in 2010, when the foredunes 

had been eroded by the high spring tide. 

Laboratory experiments on burial survivorship 

using shingle rather than sand (Low, 

online report) also found Glaucium flavum to 

be extremely intolerant of burial. At Sand 

Bay, no plant lost due to burial was ever rediscovered, 

thus confirming intolerance to 

burial at this site. 

There did not appear to be any correlation 

between seedling size and either survival or 

flowering at Sand Bay. Only two Glaucium 

flavum plants at Sand Bay bore fruit, producing 

four and five seed pods respectively. Scott 

(1963) found an average of 20 pods per plant 

and quoted a mean of 282 seeds per pod (Scott, 

1963). Although the Sand Bay plants had a 

below average number of pods, these nine pods 

may have contained over 2500 seeds. Even if 

the number of seeds was also below average 

there should still have been a considerable 

number of seeds released at Sand Bay in 2009. 

Glaucium flavum seed has been shown to 

germinate usually in the second season and the 

seed remains viable even after seven years 

(Walmsley & Davy, 1997b). The delay in 

germination is attributed to the hard testa, 

which takes time to deteriorate. There are also 

specific requirements for germination, and 

dormancy can be induced by high temperatures 

or salinity factors (Walmsley & Davy, 1997b). 

No seedlings were found either on the strandline 

or among the debris washed up onto the 

fixed dune region in 2010 or 2011. It is 

possible that seeds may yet germinate, but even 

should this occur establishment of the species is 

unlikely to be successful in this habitat. 

From observation, it would appear to be the 

instability of the strandline that is a considerable 

obstacle to the establishment of Glaucium 

flavum at Sand Bay. This instability is 

twofold, being caused both by deposition and 

by subsequent erosion. The rate of accretion 

of blown sand in particular will always be a 

serious problem for emerging Glaucium 

flavum seedlings, even for those that germinate 

above the high tide line. This may in fact 

be the single factor most responsible for 

Glaucium flavum growing less well on sandy 

sites in general. 

References: 

LOW, E.J. (2005) (online report). Shingle 

biodiversity and habitat disturbance. 

http://www.sussex.ac.uk/geography/researc 

hprojects/BAR/publish/shingle_bio-andhabitat_disturbace.pdf 

RANDALL, R.E. (2004). ‘Management of 

coastal vegetated shingle in the United 

Kingdom’. Journal of Coastal Conservation 

10: 159-168. 

ROE, R.G.B. (1981). The flora of Somerset. 

Somerset Archaeological and Natural 

History Society, Taunton. 

SCOTT, G.A.M. (1963). ‘Biological flora of 

the British Isles: Glaucium flavum (L.) 

Cranz’. Journal of Ecology 51: 743-754. 

WALMSLEY, C.A. & DAVY, A.J. (1997a). 

‘The restoration of coastal shingle vegetation: 

effects of substrate composition on the 

establishment of seedlings’. Journal of 

Applied Ecology 34: 143-153. 

WALMSLEY C.A. & DAVY A.J. (1997b). 

‘Germination characteristics of shingle 

beach species, effects of seed ageing and 

their implications for vegetation restoration’. 

Journal of Applied Ecology 34: 131- 

142. 

WHITE, J.W. (1912). The flora of Bristol. 

John Wright & Sons, Bristol. 

WILLIS, A.J. (1982). ‘Bristol botany in 1981’. 

Proceedings of the Bristol Naturalists’ 

Society (1981) 41: 81-90.

32 

Black Poplars (Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia) in South 

Northumberland (v.c.67) 

A.J. RICHARDS, ‘High Trees’, South Park, Hexham, NE46 1BT 

Since the results of the BSBI Black Poplar 

Survey were published (Milne-Redhead, 

1990), it has been generally accepted that the 

western subspecies of the Black Poplar, 

Populus nigra subsp. betulifolia) is native to 

lowland flood-plains in southern England and 

Wales, south of a line from the Mersey to the 

Humber. Hobson (1991) also suggests that it 

is native to the Irish Midlands. In these areas 

it is a scarce and localised tree, and several 

authorities suggest that it is the rarest British 

native tree (presumably excluding apomictic 

segregates) with about 7000 individuals 

surviving (Cottrell, 2004), a figure perhaps 

depending on an estimate by Mabey (1996). 

As for most native trees, it is interesting to 

consider what the word ‘native’ means here. 

Massive and sometimes clonal individuals in 

areas remote from habitation are clearly 

hundreds of years old and presumably predate 

the advent of modern transport. Poplars are 

readily propagated from shoots, and most 

extant individuals were probably planted 

originally. However, prior to 1800 it seems 

very unlikely that propagules would have been 

carried long distances, but are much more 

likely to have originated from local genotypes, 

surviving by serial propagation by man from 

pre-agricultural times. 

In this context it is perhaps surprising that 

Hutchinson & Preston (2002) state ‘it is no 

longer possible to separate native trees from 

those planted long ago’, inferring, wrongly in 

my view, that this is a useful distinction in the 

case of indigenous trees of considerable age. 

Consequently, the map published in ‘The New 

Atlas’ is meaningless with respect to northern 

England, as it includes some of the thousands 

of individuals that have been planted in recent 

years as part of reclamation and reafforestation 

schemes. It would have been useful to 

distinguish ancient individuals which 

probably predate 1800 and which are therefore 

likely to have descended from local native 

stock, not a difficult task in this species. 

Notes – Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia in v.c.67 

In recent years, the northern native limit of 

the Black Poplar has been subject to varying 

opinions. Meikle (1984) states firmly that 

north of the Mersey-Humber line that ‘it may 

occur as planted trees but cannot be considered 

indigenous’. Later, as a result of the BSBI 

survey, Milne-Redhead (1990) states that it is 

native as far north as the River Tees. This view 

seems to have been held generally, so that the 

Durham Biodiversity Action Plan considers 

that only a few native trees survive in the 

county, near the River Skerne in the Tees 

basin close to Darlington. This is supported by 

DNA fingerprinting, which shows that 

individuals sampled from further north in 

Durham are of well-known clones (A’Hara in 

litt.) and so are likely to have been planted 

within the last hundred years. Most popular 

planted clones are male (Cottrell, 2004). 

However, Stace (2010) goes further, stating 

that Black Poplars are native north to Cumberland 

and South Northumberland. This statement 

depends in part on Halliday (1997) who 

cites three localities for the native tree beside 

the River Eden in Cumberland (v.c.70). Until 

2011, the only Northumberland record 

concerned a single female tree found by G.A. 

Swan in 1995 beside a watercourse on an old 

farm boundary just north of Humshaugh (see 

inside front cover). This is a massive tree (>3 

m dbh), more than half of which was lost to 

gales in the winter 2010-11. In the v.c.67 draft 

Rare Plant Register (Flora North-East 

website), I made a case for this to be considered 

a native tree, but DNA fingerprinting has 

shown it to be clone 32 on the National 

Register, a clone planted over much of 

England (Stuart A’Hara pers. comm.). In this 

context, it is interesting that such an apparently 

ancient tree seems to have been planted. 

I was delighted in September 2011 to 

stumble across a group of four trees while 

recording west of Stamfordham in a remote 

monad, NZ0672, selected randomly for the 

Flora North-East Common Plant Survey.

Notes – Populus nigra ssp. betulifolia in v.c.67 / Lobelia urens at Flimwell: an update 33 

Much of this monad is taken up by a large 

marshy basin in which the only agricultural 

activity is rough cattle grazing and there is no 

human habitation. Parts are very wet, even 

dangerously so, and can only be crossed safely 

by keeping to ancient field boundaries which 

are raised above the water table. The Black 

Poplars have all lodged many years previously, 

so that the upright stools that now grow 

from them appear themselves to be 50-100 

years old. They grow 20-40 m from a field 

boundary and range over 150 m. Three 

individuals cannot be closely approached as 

the ground is too wet. They are associated with 

old individuals of oak (Quercus robur) and 

alder (Alnus glutinosa) which root into drier 

ground nearer to the field boundary. 

There are several features of these Black 

Poplars which lead me to think that they may 

represent local native stock, namely their 

apparent age, the remoteness of the locality, 

the very wet ground, and the fact that they 

were not part of the field boundary. It seems 

likely that the ground has never been drained 

successfully, so that there was neither the 

motive or the means for the trees to have been 

felled, and it is quite possible that the trees 

represent aboriginal stock and have never 

been planted. 

References: 

COTTRELL, J. (2004). ‘Conservation of Black 

Poplar (Populus nigra L.)’. Forestry 

Commission Information note. 

HALLIDAY, G. (1997). A flora of Cumbria. 

University of Lancaster. 

HOBSON, D.D. (1991). ‘The status of Populus 

nigra L. in the Republic of Ireland’. Watsonia 

18: 303-4. 

HUTCHINSON, G. & PRESTON, C.D. (2002). 

‘Populus nigra L.’ in: New atlas of the 

British and Irish flora, edited by C.D. 

Preston, D.A. Pearman, & T.D. Dines. 

Oxford University Press, Oxford. 

MABEY, R. (1996). Flora Britannica. 

Sinclair-Stevenson, London. 

MEIKLE, R.D. (1984). Willows and poplars. 

Botanical Society of the British Isles, 

London. BSBI Handbook No. 4. 

MILNE-REDHEAD, E. (1990). ‘The BSBI 

Black Poplar Survey, 1973-1988’. Watsonia 

18: 1-5. 


Isles. 3 rd ed. Cambridge University Press, 

Cambridge. 

Lobelia urens (Heath Lobelia) at Flimwell: an update 

SIMON HARRAP, 1 Holt Road, Edgefield, Norfolk, NR24 2RP 

Shimwell (2009) gave a synopsis of the 

history of Lobelia urens (Heath Lobelia) at 

Flimwell in East Sussex. On a visit in August 

2008 he found no sign of the species within 

the 23ha compound of the former bird park, 

but discovered around 50 flowering plants in 

an area along the eastern boundary. 

On 29 th August 2010, together with Anne 

Harrap and Nigel Redman, I visited the 

Flimwell bird park site, which, to all intents 

and purposes, remains abandoned. We made 

our way south from the A268 through the 

overgrown car park and, via patches of broken 

glass and other debris, past the large ruined 

wooden chalet, to an open area of c. 80 × 40m, 

extending to the SSW and surrounded by 

trees, centred at about TQ72103088. In this 

area of short, rabbit-cropped turf, interspersed 

with brambles and patches of Pulicaria 

dysenterica (Common Fleabane), we found 

300-400 flowering L. urens, with the greatest 

concentration at the southern end of the 

clearing (see inside front cover). We did not 

make any attempt to classify the vegetation, 

but it was certainly undistinguished and rather 

‘weedy’. Many of the lobelias had been 

‘coppiced’, probably by nibbling rabbits, and 

had produced several stems. 

Reference: 

SHIMWELL, D.W. (2009). ‘Lobelia urens at 

Flimwell, East Sussex’. BSBI News 111: 29- 

30.

34 

Floral diversity of road verges at Ainsdale, Merseyside 

PHILIP H. SMITH, 9 Hayward Court, Watchyard Lane, Formby, Liverpool L37 3QP 

PATRICIA A. LOCKWOOD, 13 Stanley Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 7AN 

Road verges are a potentially important 

habitat for wild flowers, though their value 

can often depend crucially on the type of 

management employed. Also significant is 

the nature of the underlying substrate and 

therefore soil type. Kenilworth Road, 

Ainsdale, near Southport, Merseyside, (v.c. 

59) (SD306123) is bounded by verges that 

were formed when the suburban housing 

estate that the road serves was built on sanddunes 

in the early 1970s. They extend for 

about 500m on both sides of the road and vary 

in width from about three to 34m, covering a 

total area of about 6750 m 2 (0.7ha) (see Colour 

Section, plate 4). The extent to which the 

verges were initially modified, for example by 

importation of topsoil and re-seeding, is not 

known, but seems to have been minimal. 

Management has since consisted largely of 

occasional mowing and it is not thought that 

any fertilisers have been applied. The only 

herbicides used have been confined to small 

areas around road signs and lamp posts. As a 

result, the verge community resembles a 

species-rich, grazed, fixed dune. Inherently 

low soil fertility, local trampling by pedestrians 

and susceptibility to summer drought has 

created a rather patchy, open sward, with 

occasional bare areas, especially along the 

road and pavement edges, where winter salt 

applications have also suppressed the vegetation. 

Having been leached for about 40 years, 

the substrate may have lost some of the high 

calcium content associated with the younger 

Sefton Coast sand dunes (Smith, 2009). 

A survey of the verges in spring and early 

summer 1999 produced 59 vascular taxa, four 

being regionally or nationally notable. They 

included Herniaria glabra (Smooth Rupture- 

Notes – Floral diversity of road verges at Ainsdale, Merseyside 

wort), a nationally rare species, which has its 

headquarters in the Brecklands of East Anglia. 

First discovered here in 1988, H. glabra was 

thought to be of casual origin, perhaps as a 

garden escape, and was the subject of detailed 

surveys in 1999 and 2004. These revealed an 

increase of 111% between the two dates from 

71 to 150 patches (Smith, 2005). Interestingly, 

H. glabra was listed 180 years ago, with other 

wild flowers, for the Southport area by Whittle 

(1831). It was also noted by Dickinson 

(1851), who writes: “Mr John Harrison of St. 

Helens brought me on two occasions in 1850 

fresh specimens gathered near St Helens Old 

Railway, at a distance from any house, yet I 

cannot but consider it as an outcast from some 

garden”. He also mentions its listing in Glazebrook’s 

Guide to Southport and Aughton’s 

List of Southport plants. This species was not 

recorded in later regional floras (e.g. Green, 

1933; Savidge et al., 1963), but the fact that 

the plant was known hereabouts so long ago 

might prompt a review of its local status. 

The verges were surveyed again in April- 

June 2011. A total of 84 vascular taxa was 

recorded, including seven regionally/nationally 

notable species (Table 1), representing an 

increase of 42% in species-richness since 

1999. The verges are also rich in mosses and 

lichens, but these were not identified. Only 

eight plants found previously were not seen in 

2011, while 31 new species were added. Over 

the two surveys, the verges supported 93 taxa, 

12 (13%) being non-native or introduced 

native taxa. As before, H. glabra was a major 

component of the flora and appears to have 

increased further, though this was not established 

quantitatively.

Notes – Floral diversity of road verges at Ainsdale, Merseyside 35 

Table 1. Nationally and regionally notable taxa recorded on the Kenilworth Road verges 

r = rare; o = occasional; f = frequent; l = locally; v = very. 

NR = Nationally Rare; NS = Nationally Scarce; SCI = Species of Conservation Importance in 

North West England; * = non-native or introduced native taxon. 

Taxon English name 1999 2011 Status 

Herniaria glabra* Smooth Rupture-wort o lf NR 

Myosotis ramosissima Early Forget-me-not r r SCI 

Ornithopus perpusillus Bird’s-foot lf SCI 

Trifolium micranthum Slender Trefoil r SCI 

Trifolium striatum Knotted Clover lf SCI 

Vicia lathyroides Spring Vetch o o SCI 

Vulpia fasciculata Dune Fescue lf vlo NS 

Total: 7 

A particular feature is the frequency and 

variety of winter annuals, including especially 

Aira caryophyllea (Silver Hair-grass), 

A. praecox (Early Hair-grass), Aphanes 

arvensis (Parsley-piert), Arenaria serpyllifolia 

(Thyme-leaved Sandwort), Cerastium 

diffusum (Sea Mouse-ear), C. semidecandrum 

(Little Mouse-ear), Erophila verna (Common 

Whitlow-grass), Myosotis discolor (Changing 

Forget-me-not), Veronica arvensis (Wall 

Speedwell) and Vulpia bromoides (Squirreltail 

Fescue), all of which occur in some quantity. 

Other annuals were less common, including 

the nationally scarce Vulpia fasciculata (Dune 

Fescue) and the regionally notable Myosotis 

ramosissima (Early Forget-me-not) and Vicia 

lathyroides (Spring Vetch). Evidently, these 

species readily colonise the short open sward 

with frequent bare patches. Other significant 

finds in 2011 were Ornithopus perpusillus 

(Bird’s-foot), Trifolium striatum (Knotted 

Clover) (see Colour Section, plate 4) and 

T. micranthum (Least Trefoil), all being 

regionally notable (Table 1). The presence of 

O. perpusillus and also frequent Rumex 

acetosella (Sheep’s-sorrel), with Ellenberg 

reaction values of 4, suggests a moderately 

acid soil, at least in places (Hill et al., 2004). 

The dominant grasses are Agrostis capillaris 

(Common Bent), Festuca rubra (Red Fescue) 

and F. ovina (Sheep’s Fescue), the high 

species-richness and abundant mosses and 

lichens suggesting a community close to the 

UK National Vegetation Classification’s 

SD8b: Festuca rubra-Galium verum fixed 

dune, Luzula campestris sub-community. 

However, a shift towards dryer, more acidic 

conditions in some areas of the verges may 

indicate a vegetation type closer to SD12: 

Carex arenaria-Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris 

dune grassland (Rodwell, 2000). 

Mowing the Kenilworth Road verges has 

evidently been successful in maintaining this 

fixed-dune habitat and even increasing 

species-richness, despite the inevitable dogfouling 

and the fact that arisings are not 

thought to be collected. This form of management 

may have application elsewhere on the 

Sefton Coast sand-dunes, where rich fixeddune 

communities are threatened by scrub 

invasion and the overgrowth of coarse grasses, 

such as Arrhenatherum elatius (False Oatgrass) 

(Smith, 2009). In places, this has been 

addressed by the introduction of livestockgrazing, 

a well-established management 

practice for maintaining diverse dune communities 

(Plassmann et al., 2010; Rodwell, 2000). 

However, grazing can be expensive in 

manpower and infrastructure (Smith, 2009). 

Because of the large areas involved and 

topographic constraints, mowing is less often 

used but has produced benefits at Altcar Rifle 

Range (SD290040) and in some dune-slacks 

where grazing in not possible (Smith, 2009).

36 

Notes – Floral diversity of road verges at Ainsdale / Late flowering of Smyrnium olusatrum 

in v.cc.25/27 

The present study suggests that wider application 

of mowing in dune areas accessible to 

machinery could be beneficial. 


We are grateful to Dr Mary Dean for assistance 

with field work. 

References: 

DICKINSON, J. (1851). The flora of Liverpool. 

Deighton & Laughton, Liverpool. 

GREEN, C.T. (ed.) (1933). The flora of the 

Liverpool district. T. Buncle & Co., 

Arbroath. 

HILL, M.O., PRESTON, C.D. & ROY, D.B. 

(2004). PLANTATT. Attributes of British 

and Irish plants: status, size, life history, 

geography and habitats. Centre for Ecology 

& Hydrology, Monks Wood, Cambridge. 

PLASSMANN, K., LAURENCE, M., JONES, M. & 

EDWARDS-JONES, G. (2010). ‘Effects of 

long-term grazing management on sand 

dune vegetation of high conservation interest’. 

Applied Vegetation Science 13: 100- 

112. 

RODWELL, J.S. (ed.) (2000). British plant 

communities. Volume 5.: Maritime communities 

and vegetation of open habitats. 

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 

SAVIDGE, J.P., HEYWOOD, V.H. & GORDON, 

V. (eds.) (1963). Travis’s flora of South 

Lancashire. Liverpool Botanical Society, 

Liverpool. 

SMITH, P.H. (2005). ‘Herniaria glabra on the 

Sefton Coast, Merseyside’. BSBI News 100: 

23-25. 

SMITH, P.H. (2009). The sands of time revisited: 

an introduction to the sand-dunes of the 

Sefton Coast. Amberley Publishing, Stroud, 

Gloucestershire. 

WHITTLE, P. (1831). Marina; or a historical 

and descriptive account of Southport, 

Lytham and Blackpool, situate on the 

western coast of Lancashire. P. & H. 

Whittle, Preston. 

Late flowering of Smyrnium olusatrum (Alexanders.) in v.cc.25/27 

COLIN A. JACOBS, 35 Milton Road, East Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR32 19U; 

(benacre2001@yahoo.co.uk) 

During the closing weeks of October and the 

opening weeks of November 2011, I noticed 

several flowering plants of Smyrnium olusatrum 

L. (Alexanders.) on the coastline 

between Lowestoft, East Suffolk (TM59) and 

Gorleston in East Norfolk (TM59). In fact 

S. olusatrum is the UK’s most easterly plant, 

growing by Ness Point in Lowestoft. Here, 

and along to Gorleston, the plants had many 

umbels with extended stigmas. At the time of 

writing, it has been so far a very mild autumn, 

with temperatures reaching a consistent 15ºC, 

typical early spring temperatures, when the 

flowers would be opening. The plants were 

introduced from the Mediterranean by the 

Romans, and the species is typically coastal, 

but can be found as far inland as Norwich, 

where seeds have presumably floated up from 

the river systems. Even the rust fungus 

Puccinia smyrnii, which grows on the Alexanders, 

was common, another spring species. 

The plant can survive the cold east winds but 

does not like more than five days of freezing 

temperatures that kill or significantly damage 

the plants, which take weeks to recover. 

Reference: 

MABEY R. (1996). Flora Britannica. 

Sinclair-Stevenson, London.

Notes – Trichophorum cespitosum and allied taxa in RSPB Abernethy Forest NNR 37 

Trichophorum cespitosum (Northern Deergrass) and allied taxa in 

RSPB Abernethy Forest NNR 

ANDY AMPHLETT, RSPB, Forest Lodge, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire, PH25 3EF 

This note outlines current knowledge of the 

distribution, relative abundance and habitats 

of the three taxa: Trichophorum cespitosum 

(Northern Deergrass), T. germanicum 

(Deergrass), and their hybrid T. ×foersteri in 

the RSPB Abernethy Forest NNR and nearby 

areas. Abernethy Forest is the largest of the 

remnant Caledonian pinewoods, and is 

situated on the northern flanks of the Cairngorm 

Mountains. Most locations referred to in 

this note are at relatively low altitude, from 

210m to 410m AOD, but some collections 

were made at over 1100m AOD. 

I first found T. cespitosum (Northern 

Deergrass) in July 2004, growing beside a 

runnel leading down to a Myrica gale (Bogmyrtle) 

dominated mire, on the south side of 

Tulloch Moor (NH9616) in v.c.96. Here, one 

or two clumps were growing in close 

proximity to species such as Narthecium 

ossifragum (Bog Asphodel) and Carex 

panicea (Carnation Sedge). Two days later, I 

found T. cespitosum growing in the lagg zone 

of an extensive blanket bog c.600m to the 

north-west of the original site, within the 

RSPB reserve. Here, the topography indicated 

that there might be some local movement of 

water off the surrounding heathland, although 

the flora was distinctly acidic, dominated by 

Eriophorum vaginatum (Hare’s-tail Cottongrass). 

Although I continued to occasionally 

look at Trichophorum specimens in the course 

of general botanising, it was not until July 

2010 that I found an additional site for 

T. cespitosum, again on Tulloch Moor, but this 

time within a very gently sloping valley mire, 

in monad NH9516. Here, Carex pauciflora 

(Few-flowered Sedge) was very frequent 

amongst typical M18 bog vegetation (Erica 

tetralix-Sphagnum papillosum raised and 

blanket mire), with abundant Sphagnum 

species. NVC communities are described in 

Rodwell (1991, 1992). 

Although there were considerable floristic 

differences between these three sites, at all of 

them there was some indication of groundwater 

movement. The adjacent heathland is 

the species-rich Pyrola media – Lathyrus 

linifolius sub-community H16a of Calluna 

vulgaris-Arctostaphylos uva-ursi heath. This 

heath type supports a number of species indicative 

of more mesotrophic conditions than is 

the norm on dry heaths in this part of the 

Cairngorms. Hence I was able to convince 

myself that the sites were not too dissimilar to 

those described by Swan (1999). 

In June 2011, I showed T. cespitosum to a 

small group of local botanists, re-kindling my 

enthusiasm for looking for this species. On 

25 th July 2011, I looked for, but did not find 

the population of T. cespitosum I had found in 

the lagg zone on Tulloch Moor seven years 

earlier. Moving on, I cut across an area of 

M18 bog, and found a few clumps of fruiting 

T. cespitosum on the ombrotrophic bog 

surface, well away from any soligenous influences. 

This rang immediate bells, as Roberts 

(2011) had recently published a note on 

finding a very large population growing on 

Butterburn Flow in Cumbria, in rather similar 

habitat. Suspecting that T. cespitosum might 

occur in similar habitats elsewhere, over the 

next three weeks I looked for Trichophorum 

growing on a sample of the many areas of bog 

within the forest area of Abernethy. 

My efforts proved successful. In total I have 

now made 54 individual records of T. cespitosum 

at 33 locations (different 6-figure grid 

references), in 11 1km grid squares, in nine 

tetrads. Twenty-six of the recorded locations 

were within the RSPB Abernethy Forest NNR. 

The remaining sites were on immediately 

adjacent bogs. Records were from v.c.95 and 

v.c.96. All 54 individual records I made of 

T. cespitosum were of fruiting plants. I 

checked stem cross-sections of specimens for 

36 of these records, and in all cases my field 

identification was correct. 

Of the 33 recorded locations, T. cespitosum 

grew on deep peat deposits at 32. Of these, at

38 

Notes – Trichophorum cespitosum and allied taxa in RSPB Abernethy Forest NNR 

only three (all in close proximity) was there 

evidence of a mineral-rich soligenous influence. 

This site, in monad NH9618, has such 

species as Carex dioica (Dioecious Sedge) 

and Eleocharis quinqueflora (Few-flowered 

Spike-rush) as close associates. This is part of 

the mire complex described by McVean & 

Ratcliffe (1962) (p. 128). All but two of the 

locations were on undisturbed bogs. The other 

two were in areas where peats had been cut in 

the past. Although my recent survey effort has 

been deliberately biased towards bogs, from 

my knowledge of the extent of such habitats 

here, and the relative lack of other suitable 

habitat for Trichophorum on low ground at 

Abernethy, I am confident that the primary 

habitat for this species in Abernethy Forest is 

M18 bog. Apart from on Tulloch Moor, all 

the bogs with T. cespitosum are partially 

wooded, carrying an open canopy of low 

growing native Pinus sylvestris ssp. scotica 

(Scots Pine). These bog woodlands in 

Abernethy Forest form part of the most extensive 

example of this habitat type in Scotland. 

At all locations, T. cespitosum was accompanied 

by T. ×foersteri (Hybrid Deergrass), 

which was always much the more abundant of 

the two taxa. Of 28 records I have made of 

this taxon, 26 have been from bogs, and only 

two (in v.c.94, not within Abernethy) were on 

wet heath. All records were confirmed by 

checking stem sections under a microscope. 

On one or two occasions I collected putative 

hybrids, which on detailed examination 

proved to be T. germanicum (Deergrass) that 

had failed to set fruit. On no occasion did 

specimens collected as the hybrid turn out to 

be T. cespitosum. 

I have also recorded T. germanicum on 35 

occasions at a range of locations in v.cc. 94, 95 

and 96, both within and outwith Abernethy. 

Habitat was recorded for 25 records: 16 from 

M16 Erica tetralix – Sphagnum compactum 

wet heath, five from high attitude U7 Nardus 

stricta-Carex bigelowii snowbeds, and four 

from bogs. Some populations showed no 

indication of having set fruit, and it is possible 

I overlooked this species on bogs, amongst the 

much more abundant sterile hybrid. However 

I did deliberately search for this species on 

bogs at Abernethy, and feel it must be, at most, 

very local here, in this habitat. Conversely, on 

wet heaths, which at Abernethy occur at 

slightly higher altitude around the southern 

margin of the forest (above c.400m AOD), 

T. germanicum was the only taxon I could 

find. The wet heath community here is very 

species-poor, and lacks Sphagnum 

compactum, at times being perhaps better 

described as intermediate between M16 wet 

heath and H12 Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium 

myrtillus heath. The small sample of plants 

from high altitude (to more than 1000m 

AOD), were all of T. germanicum. 

Jeremy Roberts’ web pages (http://www. 

edencroft2.demon.co.uk/index.html) include 

an absolute wealth of detail on the identification 

of these three taxa, both in the field and 

under the microscope. They are an essential 

resource for anyone wishing to get to grips 

with them. I can only add a few additional 

comments. Stem cross sections of T. germanicum, 

in my experience, usually show larger 

aerenchyma (air channels) than is, at the time 

of writing, illustrated by Roberts. When 

cutting stem sections under a stereo microscope 

at ×10 magnification, those of 

T. germanicum are almost instantly recognisable, 

the clear aerenchyma standing out even 

when viewed with incident illumination 

against a white background. Cutting sections 

requires some practice. Using a fresh, sharp 

razor blade improves the quality of sections a 

great deal. I cut on a glass slide, and razor 

blades are quickly blunted. Inevitably you get 

a mix of thicknesses of section when cutting 

by hand. Too thick and the section is too 

opaque to see details clearly. Too thin, and 

sections of T. cespitosum, which lack aerenchyma, 

can appear to have pale patches 

amongst the green tissue. With a little experience 

it becomes obvious which sections are 

the ones to look at more closely. 

On the basis of confirmed identifications, 

T. cespitosum is nationally rare. However, 

targeted fieldwork has been geographically 

very restricted, and presumably the species is 

under-recorded. A more accurate picture of this

Notes – Trichophorum cespitosum in Abernethy Forest / Return of Fumaria bastardii to Sussex 39 

species’ actual distribution will take some time 

to develop. Unfortunately this is confounded 

by the considerable confusion over which taxon 

recorders actually mean when their records 

refer to T. cespitosum, as this name may refer 

(as here) to the rarer species, or to the aggregate 

of both species and the hybrid. 


Michael Braithwaite confirmed my first original 

specimens of T. cespitosum, and also a 

recent collection (a new vice-county record for 

v.c.95). Ian Perks collected specimens from 

high altitude sites in the Cairngorms. Jeremy 

Roberts and Michael Braithwaite commented 

on an earlier draft of this note. 

References: 

MCVEAN, D.N. & RATCLIFFE, D.A. (1962). 

Plant communities of the Scottish 

Highlands. HMSO, Edinburgh. Monographs 

of the Nature Conservancy, No. 1. 

ROBERTS, F.J. (2011). ‘Northern Deergrass 

(Trichophorum cespitosum): calciphile or 

calcifuge?’ BSBI News 117: 37-38. 


communities. Vol. 2.: Mires and heaths. 



communities. Vol. 3: Grasslands and 

montane communities. Cambridge University 

Press, Cambridge. 

SWAN, G.A. (1999). ‘Identification, distribution 

and a new nothosubspecies of Trichophorum 

cespitosum in the British Isles and 

NW Europe’. Watsonia 22: 209-233. 

Return of Fumaria bastardii to Sussex 

MATTHEW BERRY, Flat 2, 11 Southfields Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 1BU 

In September 2011, four members of the 

Sussex Botanical Recording Society (H. 

Proctor, J. Linsell, M. Berry and R. Wells) 

were recording for the new ‘Flora of Sussex’ 

project in the Camber area of East Sussex 

(v.c.14), close to the border with Kent, in 

tetrad TQ91Z. 

While examining stony ground alongside an 

isolated house (TQ99181818), we came 

across a patch of a pale-flowered fumitory. 

Using the key in Fumitories of Britain and 

Ireland (Murphy, 2009), this was later determined 

as Fumaria bastardii (Tall Rampingfumitory), 

and the identification was subsequently 

confirmed by Rose Murphy. 

The last confirmed record for Sussex was in 

1959, when Ken Bull found it growing in 

Egerton Park, Bexhill. The Camber record 

represents an even more easterly outpost for 

what is generally thought of as a western/ 

Atlantic species in Britain. 

The substrate of this new site is probably 

fairly acidic, with an abundance of such 

species as Teucrium scorodonia (Wood Sage). 

Immediately to the north of the house lies an 

area with heath-like affinities, where Cytisus 

scoparius (Broom), Ceratocapnos claviculata 

(Climbing Corydalis) and Senecio sylvaticus 

(Heath Groundsel) occur. Nearby are sites for 

Jasione montana (Sheep’s-bit) and Sedum 

anglicum (English Stonecrop), species I think 

of as also having somewhat western tendencies. 

The fumitory was growing in what could 

loosely be termed a flower bed, but a 

neglected one, with Beta vulgaris ssp. 

maritima (Sea Beet), Tripleurospermum 

maritimum (Sea Mayweed) and two small 

bushes of Suada vera (Shrubby Seablite) for 

company. 

It will be interesting to see if its occurrence 

at Camber proves to be as ephemeral as its 

earlier one at Bexhill. 


We would like to thank Paul Harmes for 

drawing our attention to the significance of 

this record, and for contacting Rose Murphy; 

and Rose Murphy for confirming the plant’s 

identity. 

Reference: 

MURPHY, R.J. (2009). Fumitories of Britain 

and Ireland. BSBI, London.

40 

Phytophthora disease – a threat to our native vegetation? 

DOT DAHL, Easter Ballindalloch, Glen Lednock, Comrie, Perthshire, PH6 2LY 

MARTIN ROBINSON, Dalreoch Farm, Enochdhu, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 7PF; 

(on behalf of the BSBI Scottish Committee) 

There have been several recent outbreaks of 

the introduced Phytophthora species: 

P. kernoviae and P. ramorum, affecting a wide 

range of trees and shrubs. Of particular 

concern is their effect on certain tree species, 

and moorland/heathland species, such as 

Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry/Blaeberry). To 

date, they have been largely confined to 

western parks and gardens, but if they become 

established in natural or semi-natural environments, 

they will become difficult to control 

and potentially devastating for native vegetation. 

The diseases are spread by movement of 

infected plant material and soil, in water, in 

droplets in the air and potentially via walkers’ 

boots. An important host plant, where BSBI 

members may notice the disease, is Rhododendron 

ponticum (Rhododendron). R. ponticum 

was, until recently, regarded as the most likely 

source of infection in other species. In 2009, 

in south-west England, however, infected 

Japanese Larch (Larix kaempferi) trees were 

found, infecting a range of other under-storey 

species, and there was no R. ponticum in the 

near vicinity. Outbreaks on Japanese Larch 

have now been found all up the western side 

of Britain, including Western Scotland. 

The Botanical Society of Scotland (BSS 

News 97) carried an article by SASA (Science 

& Advice for Scottish Agriculture), which is 

conducting a survey to establish whether these 

pathogens have spread to Blaeberries in 

Scottish heathland. This article includes a 

description of diseased Vaccinium myrtillus 

twigs. These turn black and prematurely shed 

Notes – Phytophthora disease – a threat to our native vegetation? 

their leaves. The area of affected twigs may 

be clearly seen from some distance. Dr 

Alexandra Schlenzig of SASA (Roddinglaw 

Rd., Edinburgh, EH12 9FJ) is keen to have 

samples sent to her for diagnosis, as long as 

her particular sampling protocol is followed. 

In addition, for more information on how to 

identify other infected plants you can 

download Defra leaflets on Phytophthora 

ramorum and Phytophthora kernoviae 

(http://thefera.co.uk/plants/plantHealth/pests 

Diseases/phytophthora/) 

Generally, any reports of suspected 

Phytophthora infections on woodland or 

forest trees (but not trees or hedges in gardens) 

go to Forest Research. Enquiries in northern 

Britain (i.e. north of the Mersey/Humber line) 

can be emailed to: ddas.nrs@forestry.gsi. 

gov.uk, and those south of that line can go to: 

ddas.ah@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. 

However, any enquiry concerning suspected 

Phytophthora infection of a non-tree species 

(i.e. in shrubs or other plants) should go to: 

planthealth.info@fera.gsi.gov.uk 

How you can help 

Apply good boot hygiene, particularly 

where infection is suspected. 

Observe quarantined areas. 

Use foot baths, where provided. 

Become familiar with the signs of the 

disease: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ 

forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-5vfmzu 

http://fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/publications/ 

documents/factsheets/pramparks.pdf 

Report possible infections.

Notes – Can vice-county boundaries change over time? 41 


MICHAEL BRAITHWAITE, ‘Clarilaw’, Hawick, Roxburghshire, TD9 8PT 

The NBN Trust has launched a data validation 

tool, NBN Record Cleaner, which inter alia 

checks whether the grid references of all the sites 

in a vice-county database are within its 

geographic boundaries. When I tried this tool on 

my BSBI Berwickshire dataset, it threw up a 

small number of errors. Included in these were 

botanical records relating to two small strips of 

land on the Berwickshire side of the River 

Tweed that it considered related to North Northumberland, 

England, v.c.68, not to Berwickshire, 

Scotland, v.c.81. The history of both these 

localities proves to be of interest. 

The first is at Lees Haugh (NT854389), near 

Coldstream, on the inside of a sharp bend in the 

river, where it meanders through an alluvial 

plain. This is top-quality agricultural land, 

protected from floods by embankments, where 

the botanical interest lies within a narrow strip at 

the riverside and in the aquatic species on the 

river bed. The vice-county boundary has been 

digitised by the NBN Trsut from the O.S. first 

edition 6-inch maps, surveyed in 1858, and the 

vice-county boundary is placed along the median 

line of the river at that time. There has been 

substantial accretion to this section of the 

Berwickshire bank since then, so much so that 

the bank is now further south than the old 

median line. The NBN boundary thus places a 

400 × 50m strip of river bank on the Scottish 

bank, with Rorippa ×anceps, in England, with a 

further stretch of the river bed. This is neither a 

practical solution for field recording nor is it the 

legal position. The legal position, per the Registers 

of Scotland website (www.ros.gov.uk) is 

that the boundary changes over time to follow 

the current course of the river, remaining at the 

median line in the river, except where there are 

islands, so the current O.S. map, surveyed c. 

1970, differs from the NBN map. Meanwhile, 

the Google Earth image shows that there has 

been further accretion and that the current O.S. 

map is already 100m out of line with reality. The 

farmer is on a winner; indeed the flood embankments 

were rebuilt about 20 years ago to take in 

some of the land gained. 

The second locality is at Green Knowes 

(NT926498), opposite Horncliffe, and has a 

different history. At the time of the O.S. first 

edition 6-inch map, surveyed in 1858, there was 

a small island in the river here, which belonged 

to England, but by that date was already closer to 

the Scottish bank than the English bank. The 

national boundary was mid-channel on the 

Scottish side of the island. The channel between 

the island and the Scottish bank was deliberately 

filled in by 1897, with the island being made part 

of a larger field. As the change is man-made, the 

law is that the boundary does not change, so the 

O.S. maps from 1926 mark the relevant portion 

of field as being in England, notwithstanding that 

it is on the north bank. It is about 100 × 30m, 

together with a section of the river bed, where 

Potamogeton ×olivaceus grows. The current 

O.S. boundary and the NBN boundary coincide. 

But, here again, we have a situation that is not 

very practical for field recording, so I and my 

neighbouring vice-county recorder may well 

agree to ignore the niceties for BSBI purposes. 

Arthur Chater has noted a similar issue in 

Cardiganshire, where a vegetated gravel spit at 

SN160485, in the estuary at the mouth of the 

River Teifi, has elongated over time to such an 

extent that the tip, an area 20 × 20m, is now in 

the adjacent vice-county, Pembrokeshire. Here, 

the legal position may be complicated by the fact 

that the foreshore belongs to the Crown Estate 

but, in essence, it is the same as at Lees Haugh – 

all the gravel spit is legally in Cardiganshire. 

So it seems that we have an issue here that is 

worthy of debate. Should vice-county boundaries 

be immutable, or should they change over 

time in response to changes in the courses of 

rivers and to the coastline? There is no suggestion 

that vice-counties should change in response 

to political boundary changes or to man-made 

works. It is just a question of whether they 

should change in response to natural forces 

where this would follow the legal position.

42 

Notes – Can vice-county boundaries change over time? – a response / Rosebay Willowherb 

Can vice-county boundaries change over time? – a response on 

reading a draft of Michael Braithwaite’s article 

ARTHUR CHATER, Windover, Penyrangor, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 1BJ 

I am adamantly of the opinion that v.c. boundaries 

are fixed and immutable. Once people 

start altering them for their own convenience, 

there is confusion, if not mayhem. Among the 

many reasons are that it is not only we 

botanists that use them. If you record species 

A in a part of v.c.81, that is on the south side 

of the river, and deem it to be in v.c.68, I may 

come along and record a rust on it that I will 

say is in v.c.81. But as species A is apparently 

not recorded from this v.c., there is a problem. 

Secondly, just as the river has changed its 

course in the last 150 years, so it will change 

again, or perhaps change back, in the future. 

So, any records you make in the contentious 

areas will need to be annotated ‘v.c.81 sensu 

Braithwaite, 2011’, and you will need to 

deposit an explanation somewhere every time 

you modify the traditional boundary. If 

botanists are allowed to do this, and dictate their 

preferences to others, what about the ornithologists, 

who would find it more useful to put the 

[Editor’s note: for the record, the NBN Trust 

carried out a complex programme some time 

ago, using very efficient contractors from 

India, to digitise the original vice-county 

boundaries, annotated by the late J.E. Dandy 

on O.S. 1:10,560 maps as a preparation for 

producing his BSBI publication Watsonian 

vice-counties of Great Britain (1969), 

these now being held by the Natural History 

Museum. The maps were scanned and the 

boundaries digitised, subsequently made 

available electronically to all as a ‘standard’ 

for use in databases etc., along with digital 

images of the original scanned maps. In doing 

Rosebay Willowherb 

whole of a lake into one v.c. when the boundary 

runs down the middle? Or the bat recorders, 

who want to remove a wobble because of a 

flight line? It is horribly reminiscent of the 

proposal someone once made that sites should 

be allocated to single tetrads, irrespective of 

whether they crossed an actual tetrad boundary. 

The only way to be fair, and for everyone to 

understand, is to stick to the official v.c. 

boundaries. Where a sandbank, for example, 

has become colonised off the coast, where no 

v.c. boundary is shown, it may of course be 

necessary to extrapolate the boundary to 

demarcate it, but this is quite different from 

altering an existing boundary. 

I do agree, though, that it is important for 

Vice-county Recorders and others to be aware 

of anomalies such as Michael describes; and, as 

David Pearman would say, these anomalies are 

fun. I have had several very enjoyable outings 

with Richard Pryce visiting each others’ 

enclaves on the wrong sides of the Teifi. 

this, these sorts of issues were considered, but 

Arthur Chater’s position was adopted – that 

the Watsonian boundaries, as H.C. Watson 

(and Dandy) depicted, were the standard, not 

modern boundaries, however ‘inconvenient’ 

they might be on the ground; the aim being to 

‘fix’ the recording areas, rather than reflect 

any subsequent changes. Arthur may also like 

to know that Watson’s/Dandy’s boundaries 

were in fact extrapolated out to sea for the 

purposes of this operation, so that it is now 

possible to use them for inshore recording as 

well.] 

MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN, Knockavota, Milltown, Co. Kerry, Ireland 

I was interested in the article by Jack Oliver 

relating to Chamerion angustifolium (Rosebay 

Willowherb) in BSBI News 118. In particular, 

I was interested in the height aspect given for 

the species. My local wood, Kilderry, was 

partly clear-felled in 2001, and, during the

Notes – Rosebay Willowherb / Local BSBI groups: why every v.c. should have one 43 

following years, there was extensive colonisation 

of these plants. In competition with 

Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken), the average 

height was two metres. 

Some years ago, I took some plants into my 

small, sheltered garden, and I observed them 

Local BSBI groups: why every vice-county should have one 

LOUISE MARSH, University of Leicester Herbarium, Leicester, LE1 7RH; 

(louise-marsh@talktalk.net) 

In 2008, three recent BSBI members, enthused 

by our first national BSBI meetings, decided 

to email other local botanists in our v.c. (55), 

only some of whom we knew, to suggest 

setting up a local BSBI group. Our experience 

since then has been so positive that we should 

like to share it more widely, and encourage 

people to consider setting up a local group this 

year. Or, if you are in one of the small, but 

growing, number of vice-counties already 

enjoying the benefits of a local group, we’d 

like to hear from you and pool ideas to further 

strengthen our groups. We are convinced 

local BSBI groups can attract and engage new 

members, boost botanical recording and help 

raise the Society’s profile, and wonder if other 

members agree? 

More members for BSBI 

Our local group now comprises 87 botanists: 

42 BSBI members and 45 people on our guest 

list. Seventeen of the 42 members were previously 

on the guest list, joining after attending 

our field meetings and/or the University of 

Leicester Botanic Garden’s Plant ID course 

and FISC (see Colour Section, plate 2). 

We soon realised that many keen, local 

amateur botanists hadn’t appreciated how 

much the BSBI could offer them, and so 

hadn’t seriously considered the advantages of 

membership. However, many pointed out that 

they would have been far less inclined to join 

the Society had there been no local group in 

which they could participate and from which 

they could benefit. 

Botanising together sharpens all our skills 

A local group can encourage beginner and 

improver botanists to get more involved with 

increasing in height every year; the average 

being 2.8m. One specimen was recorded this 

year (2011) at 3.1m (see Colour Section, plate 

1). It all goes to show that the species, given 

shelter and support, can reach exceptional 

heights. 

training and recording. We have found that 

communal botany sharpens all our skills, with 

experts challenged and encouraged to demonstrate 

field characters, beginners trained and 

supported in field ID, recording and taking 

voucher specimens, and improvers both 

receiving, and passing on, field ID tips. In the 

field, a local group meeting demonstrates the 

BSBI/FSC Skills Pyramid in action! The 

range of skill levels also means local groups 

are good test-beds for comparing and contrasting 

different ID keys and taxonomies. 

More publicity for BSBI 

We have also raised the BSBI’s profile and 

explained the Society’s work to a wider 

audience, whether by participating in public 

events like Bioblitzes and talking to local 

media, by cultivating and strengthening links 

with local conservation groups, ID courses, 

records centres and local authority ecologists, 

or just by letting local landowners and managers 

know why we are requesting permission to 

survey on their land. Most of the latter are 

happy to help once they understand the importance 

of botanical records, and that BSBI 

members are only interested in recording the 

local flora, although we are happy to point 

landowners in the direction of management 

advice via our local Wildlife Trust, with 

whom we have a close working relationship 

(our very supportive Vice-county Recorder is 

also their Head of Conservation) 

Leicester’s Bioblitz mass recording events 

in 2010 and 2011 were coordinated by our city 

council’s nature conservation officer, attended 

by thousands of people, and gave our group 

the opportunity to demonstrate and contextualise 

the taking of records. The Bioblitz co

44 

Notes – Local BSBI groups: why every v.c. should have one / Remarkable Bee Orchid 

ordinator has since been invaluable in 

arranging access to otherwise inaccessible 

brownfield sites, rich in aliens. Access has 

been the group’s biggest challenge, with early 

plans to help re-survey all Habitat Study Sites 

from the last Flora scuppered by patchy 

access, so the network of contacts built up 

through the group has proved a great help. 

Local contacts have also helped members to 

find volunteering and work opportunities in 

the v.c., assisting other conservation groups 

with site surveys, and working hard to clear 

the backlog of mounting at the University of 

Leicester’s Herbarium. It may only be a 

coincidence that, while none of the three 

founder members of the group was in paid 

botanical employment in 2008, they all are 

now, having arguably benefited from the 

synergy of volunteering, botanical courses and 

FISCs, and local BSBI meetings. 

The future: a growing network of local 

BSBI groups? 

We wonder if a network of local groups, 

perhaps with its own web-page, would be 

useful, both for local group members and also 

for newcomers to the BSBI website? A local 

group can be a helpful first point of contact for 

the interested public, many of whom understandably 

lack the confidence and/or skills to 

submit their records to the Vice-county 

Recorder. 

A remarkable Bee Orchid plant 

We think our group has also benefited from 

being a local BSBI group, rather than a simple 

local plant group. We have received help and 

support from the Society, with a free hosted 

web-page, and we in turn have been able to 

promote the BSBI’s work. We think other 

local groups would also benefit from the affiliation. 

We have botanists in neighbouring 

vice-counties on our mailing list, some with 

their own local groups (and meetings to which 

we are invited) and some who haven’t yet 

taken the plunge. John and Monika Walton, in 

adjacent v.c.38, have revitalised recording in 

their v.c. with the recent reformation of their 

local flora group: around 65 members, 35 of 

whom are BSBI members; an excellent webpage; 

and the indefatigable Waltons still find 

time to attend our meetings as well! 

We offer all this as evidence of the growing 

demand for more local BSBI field meetings, 

hosted by a growing national network of local 

BSBI groups, and encourage you to help meet 

this demand and enjoy more field botany in 

the process. Take a look at the hand-out – 

available on our webpage – on tips for starting 

or strengthening a local group, and let us know 

your experience and share your tips for a 

successful local group. Get in touch via 

http://www.bsbi.org.uk/leicestershire.html 

BILL SHEPARD, Flat 18, Furze Brake, Whitepit Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1NJ 

On 20 th June 2011, a grounds maintenance 

man at St Paul’s cemetery, Fairlee, Newport, 

Isle of Wight, brought me a remarkable specimen 

which he had found. It was a discarded 

Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine) cone from which 

an Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid) flower was 

emerging from between the scales (see Colour 

Section, plate 3). 

On further investigation, I found that the tiny 

Bee Orchid plant was indeed growing from 

between the scales of the cone. In dissecting 

the cone, I carefully removed three tough 

outer woody scales. I was then able to remove 

the orchid plant with root attached. 

The plant itself, including the single flower 

that terminated the aerial stem, was 40mm. At 

the base of the stem was a three-branched root, 

the longest of which was 5mm, two others 

were 4mm. There was no swelling (tuber) 

separating the root system from the aerial 

stem. Examination of the flower under a 

microscope (×40 magnification) showed 

neither stigma or stamens. 

Bee Orchid plants are sometimes found 

growing in the vicinity of the cemetery. I 

would be most interested to know whether 

anyone else has ever come across a similar 

specimen, or if any explanation can be given 

for this remarkable occurrence.

Notes – New names and taxa in the third edition of Stace – corrections / Strange Cotswold 

Water Park Marsh Horsetails 

New names and taxa in the third edition of Stace – corrections 

BOB ELLIS, 11 Havelock Road, Norwich, NR2 3HQ 

DAVID PEARMAN, ‘Algiers’, Feock, Truro, Cormwall, TR3 6RA 

An error in the first part (BSBI News 115) was 

brought to our attention and, although it was 

corrected on the spreadsheet on the website, 

the correction has not yet been published in 

BSBI News: 

‘Lepidium squamatum’ should be Lepidium 

coronopus. 

Similarly, in the second part (BSBI News 

116) all references to ‘×Schedololium’ should 

be to ×Schedolium. 

We apologise for any confusion caused. 

Strange Cotswold Water Park Marsh Horsetails 

JACK OLIVER, High View, Rhyls Lane, Lockeridge, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 4ED 

There are at least two species of horsetail at 

the east end of Mallard Lake, west of Ashton 

Keynes: Equisetum fluviatile (Water Horsetail) 

in zones 3 and 4 (see diagram, p. 47), and 

an extraordinarily protean range of Equisetum 

palustre (Marsh Horsetail) plants, found in all 

zones, 1-4. Page (1982) emphasises “…extensive 

environmentally-induced variation…” in 

E. palustre. Even so, his descriptions and 

pictures from Gloucestershire and Scottish 

populations do not encompass all the exceptional 

degrees of variability of the Cotswold 

Water Park plants. Some of these are as 

follows: 

1.Heights or lengths of main axes 25-75cm in 

zone 1; but 50-100cm in zone 2; plants 

vertical, or flaccid, and supported by the 

surrounding vegetation, or creeping (fig. 1, 

p. 47); some main stems split into two or 

three verticals (rare – zone 2 only). 

2.Whorls of branches on 6-17 main stem 

nodes, 0-10 branches per node. 

3.Undamaged branches 0.5-45cms long, often 

much overtopping the main axes; compound 

re-branching some years, especially towards 

the end of summer. 

4.Floating forms in late summer (in among the 

E. fluviatile stems). These come from 

45 

A further point was drawn to our attention 

regarding Sorbus proctoriana, which was 

dealt with by Clive Stace in his article on the 

first reprint of the New flora of the British Isles 

in BSBI News, 118. The changes listed in that 

article will be incorporated into the spreadsheet 

on the website. 

under-water E. palustre vertical stems in 

zone 4; in turn, from thick, black rhizomes, 

connected with deep levels in zones 1, 2 and 

3 respectively. The stem and branch architecture 

is the same as in land forms (fig. 2, 

p. 48). 

5.Most first branch internodes reduced to a 

pleated cupule above the black ochreolae 

(plate 2), but some longer; black sheath teeth 

and their usual white margins variable; 

sheaths usually green below teeth (as in 

Page, 1982), but sometimes black (as in 

Jermy & Camus, 1988). 

6.Fertile stems 

Zone 1: from one in 20 to one in three plants 

in some patches developed multi-whorl 

polystachions in July 2010. Dense swards of 

massed E. palustre were composed of 

densely-branched, creeping stems (fig. 1), 

mixed in with tangles of limp semi-verticals 

(figs. 3 & 4, p. 48 ). Terminal and peripheral 

cones were in confused profusion. Even 

though most plants were undamaged and not 

cropped, they did not match standard 

illustrations or descriptions (Table 1, p. 47). 

Zone 2: many E. palustre plants semishaded 

by small Ash, Alder, Sallow and 

White Willow trees at the edge, and 

consequently becoming tall and much

46 

branched; very few plants with cones, these 

few with central-terminal cones and usually 

some peripherals as well. 

Zone 3a (open, but with Juncus (rushes) and 

Eleocharis (spike-rushes)): both the rushes 

and the two Equisetum species had heavy, 

indiscriminate cropping by Canada Geese 

(and Mute Swans?); no polystachions seen 

in the surviving stems of E. palustre, but 

three unbranched, fertile stems with 

textbook central, stalked cones found. 

Zone 3b (amongst Typha latifolia 

(Bulrush\Reedmace) verticals): numerous 

vigorous E. palustre with two, three and 

four-whorled polystachions in July 2010. 

Zone 4 (with Elodea nuttallii (Nuttall’s 

Pondweed) and two Chara (stonewort) 

species): the main E. fluviatile verticals were 

severely cropped by waterfowl, with a few 

spindly compensatory branches. As the 

summer progressed, the E. palustre 

colonised the open water with emerging 

verticals, which could collapse over the 

water surface. (Similar to the land form (fig. 

1), but floating). No cones were present; and 

no rootlets formed above the lake bottom (as 

can occur in E. fluviatile). 

The ripe peripheral cones produced a greygreen 

dust, which, under the microscope, 

seemed to consist of healthy spores and elaters 

(fig. 5, p. 48). So far I have not managed to 

grow gametophytes from the dust from either 

central or peripheral mature E. palustre cones. 

Discussion and summary 

Two of the polystachion plants from the Typha 

area in zone 3b had remnants of a main axis 

cone stalk, as if a coot, moorhen or a duck had 

pecked out the central cone in early July. Like 

a flowering plant, the Marsh Horsetail could 

(theoretically) have compensated by producing 

a mass of peripheral branch cones. Whilst 

damage to the main axis may contribute to 

polystachion formation, the accepted theory, I 

have six reasons for thinking that this is not 

the main, or even an important factor (Oliver, 

2011). Grose (1957) likewise implied that 

there were genetic propensities largely 

accounting for the recurrence of polystachions 

in 12 of the Wiltshire E. palustre populations. 

Notes – Strange Cotswold Water Park Marsh Horsetails 

In this study, it was generally the least 

damaged plants that produced the best 2-5whorled 

polystachions, with the most peripheral 

branch-tip cones, and with 2010 as one of 

the best years. On line 7 of the Table (central 

cone lengths), it is theoretically possible that 

some June or early July central cones were 

pecked by waterfowl, or affected by invertebrate 

infestation in the early stages of development; 

but 5-15mm peripheral and central 

cones are produced in runs from June to 

September, starting with the 1-2mm purple 

cone buds. 

E. palustre is one of the most common and 

widespread plants in cool and cold areas of the 

northern hemisphere, with decumbent forms 

common (Clapham et al., 1987; Rook, 2004). 

However, I am not aware of big plants as in 

fig. 1 (no. 10 in the Table) being described 

elsewhere, in which there is no central cone 

axis, but a line of 18 fully-formed branch-tip 

cones from five consecutive whorls, with new 

ones starting to develop. Nor can I find any 

references to multi-whorl polystachions with 

intact central cone axes, or to floating forms of 

E. palustre. 


My thanks to Martin Barber for his help. 

References: 

CLAPHAM, A.R., TUTIN, T.G. & MOORE, D.M. 

(1987). Flora of the British Isles. 


GROSE, D. (1957). The flora of Wiltshire. 

Wiltshire Archaeological & Natural History 

Society, Devizes. 

JERMY, C. & CAMUS, J. (1983). The illustrated 

field guide to ferns and allied plants of the 

British Isles. Natural History Museum, 

London and H.M.S.O., London. 

OLIVER, J.E. (2011). ‘Unique populations of 

Marsh Horsetails in N. Wiltshire’. Wilts. 

Arch. & Nat. Hist. Mag. 104: 251-253. 

PAGE, C.N. (1982). The ferns of Britain and 

Ireland. Cambridge University Press, 

Cambridge. 

ROOK, E.J.S. (2004). ‘Equisetum palustre’ 

Valley Internet Company, U.S.A. 

http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/ferns 

/equisetumpal.html

Notes – Strange Cotswold Water Park Marsh Horsetails 47 

Table 1. Equisetum palustre polystachions, from zones 1 and 3. July 2010 

Specimen nos. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Heights/lengths 

of main stems 

(cms.) 

Main stem nodes 

above ground 

Whorled nodes 

(from ground) 

Longest branches 

(cms.) (Branch 

nodes) 

Coned whorls 

(from ground) 

Central cone 

(length) 

Number of 

peripheral cones 

40 70 36 50 39 40 41 44 25 60 

6 12 8 11 9 8 9 12 9 17 (+3) 

4 

(3-6th) 

45 (12) 

41 (12) 

3 

(4-6th) 

Young 

(15mm) 

3 

(10-12th) 

5 

(4-8th) 

6 

(6-11th) 

18 (11) 16 (10) 27 (10) 

25 (9) 

22 (10) 

2 

(11-12th) 

Young 

(14mm) 

3 

(6-8th) 

Spent 

(over) 

4 

(8-11th) 

Spent + 

new, 

small 

cone 

3 

(7-9th) 

5 

(4-8th) 

5 

(5-9th) 

6 

(6-11th) 

4 

(5-8th) 

15 (7) 27 (12) 9.5 (7) 12 (7) 24 (10) 

18 (9) 

18 (9) 

2 

(8-9th) 

Spent 

(over) 

3 

(5-7th) 

Spent 

(over) 

3 

(7-9th) 

Cluster 

of 5 

(4-9mm) 

2 

(10-11th) 

Spent + 

new 

small 

cone 

3 

(6-8th) 

Young 

(12mm) 

12 

(6-17th) 

30 (13) 

28 (11) 

27 (9) 

5 (6)* 

(8-12th) 

(13th) 

Central 

axis 

ends in 

branch 

5 11 13 12 10 9 10 10 10 18+* 

All cones 6 12 14 13 11 10 15 11 11 18+* 

*: Two or more further 1-2mm cones starting to form. Nos 2, 3. 7 & 10 illustrated. 

Fig. 1. Part of creeping E. palustre polystachion. Central axis 

ending in a branch. 18 (mostly ripe) branch-tip cones removed (see 

inset). (No. 10 on Table)

48 

Notes – Strange Cotswold Water Park Marsh Horsetails 

Fig. 3. A tall 2-whorl E. palustre polystachion (no. 2 on Table); 

some cones lost. 

Fig.2. Usual stem architecture of E. palustre: erect, creeping or 

aquatic forms. 

Fig. 5. Spores (40µ diameter) and elaters (150-200µ long) 

from branch-end (peripheral) cones of E. palustre 

Fig. 4. Two 3-whorl E. palustre polystachions (nos. 3 and 7 on 

Table); some cones lost.

Aliens – Campanula garganica recorded as an established alien 49 

On 25 th June 2011, the Botany Section of the 

Isle of Wight Natural History & Archaeological 

Society paid a visit to Norris Castle, East 

Cowes, Isle of Wight (SZ515959). This is a 

private, late 18 th century landscaped estate, 

adjoining the Osborne estate, to which public 

access has rarely been granted in the past. We 

parked alongside the Gothic farm building, 

comprising a farmyard built like a castle, with 

long walls, square corner towers and an 

impressive entrance, completed in 1805. 

Our attention was soon drawn to a bellflower, 

which appeared to be well established on the 

outer wall and corner tower at the north-eastern 

corner of the farm building. About 100 plants 

were growing in the mortar along an excess of 

20m of north-west and south-east facing walls, 

from the top of the wall (at about 5m) 

downwards to 1m above the ground. The plant 

appeared at first sight to be intermediate in 

character between Campanula portenschlagiana 

(Adria Bell-flower) and C. poscharskyana 

(Trailing Bell-flower). The flowers had 

deeply divided, patent corolla lobes, similar to 

those of Trailing Bellflower but somewhat 

smaller. The plants had a more compact habit 

than Trailing Bellflower, with minutely sparse 

pubescence and orbicular to reniform, coarsely 

toothed leaves. The plant and its habitat are 

shown in the Colour Section, plate 1. 

ALIENS 

Adriatic Bellflower (Campanula garganica Ten.) recorded as an 

established alien 

COLIN POPE, 14 High Park Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 1BP 

Fresh material was sent to Eric Clement, 

who identified it as C. garganica (Adriatic 

Bellflower). It is an endemic found on shady 

rocks in south-east Italy (Monte Gargano) and 

western Greece (Kephallinia), which was first 

recorded in cultivation in this country in 1830 

(G. Nicholson: Dictionary of Gardening 

(1884-1888)), with many varieties and hortal 

forms. According to Eric, there is one 

previous casual record outside gardens from 

this country. 

The castellated farm walls enclosed a walled 

garden during Victorian and Edwardian times, 

where fruit, vegetables and cut flowers were 

grown. Since then, the garden has fallen into 

neglect and become overgrown until recently. 

Mark Coventry, who farms the estate, has 

known the plant growing on the walls for at 

least 50 years, which suggests that it has 

actually been established here for much 

longer. The farm buildings are surrounded by 

agricultural land and woodlands. There are no 

gardens in the immediate neighbourhood. 

It is quite possible that this plant has been 

under-recorded as an established alien, due to 

confusion with the other two much more 

frequent wall bellflowers. The relevant part of 

the key given in Flora Europaea (Vol. 4: 76 

(1976)) should serve to distinguish between 

them and is reproduced here in a slightly 

modified form: 

Corolla infundibuliform-campanulate, lobed for ¼ its length 90. portenschlagiana 

Corolla rotate to infundibuliform, lobed for ¼ - ¾ its length 

Corolla 20-40mm in diameter; calyx-teeth 8-12 mm 91. poscharskyana 

Corolla 10-20mm in diameter; calyx-teeth 3-5 mm 92. garganica 

References to full descriptions and further 

illustrations can be found in Clement & Foster 

Alien plants of the British Isles (BSBI, 1994). 

Acknowledgement: 

I would like to thank Eric Clement for identifying 

the plant, providing information about it 

and for helpful comments on this short note.

50 

Aliens – Cotula coronopifolia found in Northamptonshire / Hypericum coris in v.c.10 

Buttonweed (Cotula coronopifolia) found in Northamptonshire 

ROB WILSON, 23 Cecil Street, Rothwell, Northamptonshire, NN14 6EZ; 

(robwilsondesigns@hotmail.com) 

In July 2011, local naturalist Tony Balbi was 

surveying a large area of former gravel pits in the 

valley of the River Nene near Irthlingborough, 

hopefully the area of a future Wildlife Trust 

nature reserve, when he discovered a large 

colony of Cotula coronopifolia (Buttonweed) – 

the only time this has been recorded in Northamptonshire. 

Shortly after we were told of this 

discovery, my co-recorder Gill Gent, two local 

botanists, Martin Dove and Roy Dexter, I set out 

to see this new species for ourselves. 

The field where the Buttonweed grows is part 

of the Nene floodplain and can be under water 

in winter. As we entered the field the flora 

looked distinctly uninteresting. Although there 

was more variety around some of the wetter 

patches, with areas of Persicaria maculosa 

(Redshank) and other species associated with 

this type of habitat, it was still not terribly 

exciting, but more interesting than the cropped 

grassland in most of the field. Skirting these 

areas, while watching our GPS, we kept 

heading towards the map reference we had been 

given. This brought us to a couple of large 

areas, shallow depressions that were largely 

devoid of plant life, probably the remains of 

now dry vernal ponds. Around the larger of 

these was a swathe of Matricaria discoidea 

(Pineappleweed), but the smaller was 

surrounded by thousands of flowering plants of 

Buttonweed (see Colour Section, plate 4). This 

appeared to be well established in this one spot, 

and, judging by the number and spread of the 

plants, it had been present for a number of 

years. It was probably brought to the site by 

winter-visiting wildfowl, surviving the frost of 

winter beneath the floods. The Buttonweed 

field adjoins part of the area of the valley that 

forms the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits SSSI, 

stretching from Northampton downstream past 

Thrapston, the former pits, now flooded, being 

designated primarily for wildfowl and waders, 

but also for the diversity of plant life. It is to be 

hoped that the management plan that is being 

written for the proposed new reserve will make 

due allowance for this species that has only 

been recorded in 2-3 dozen hectads since the 

start of this century. A sample was collected 

and the identification has been confirmed by 

Eric Clement. 

Hypericum coris L. (Heath-leaved St John’s-wort) on the Isle of 

Wight (v.c.10) 

PAUL STANLEY, Mulberry House, The Orchard, Brighstone, Isle of Wight, PO30 4QU 

PHILIP J. BARDEN, 13 Lockeridge Road, Bere Alston, Devon, PL20 7AW 

DAVID J. BARDEN, 91 Newbridge Road, Llantrisant, Mid-Glamorgan, CF72 8EY 

On 5 th September 2011, one of us (PS) was 

examining the large population of Erigeron 

karvinskianus (Mexican Fleabane) on the high, 

west-facing boundary wall of Newchurch 

churchyard, Isle of Wight (v.c.10). In doing so, 

an unusual Hypericum was spotted that was 

unlike anything previously encountered. A 

search of the internet produced a tentative identification 

of Hypericum coris L. (Heath-leaved St 

John’s-wort), which was confirmed following 

correspondence with Colin Pope (the vicecounty 

recorder) and Eric Clement. Remarkably, 

the very same spot was independently 

visited two days later by PJB, who also noted the 

unusual plant, contacted his son (DJB) for his 

opinion about what it might be, and reached the 

same conclusion. 

Even at first glance, H. coris looks unlike any 

native species of Hypericum (or indeed any 

common alien species of that genus). However, 

the very narrow, whorled leaves suggest 

Hypericum section Coridium, and of the species 

in this section, H. coris is definitely the best fit, 

having both four-whorled leaves and strongly 

sessile-glandular sepals (see Colour Section, 

plate 1). The other species in section Coridium

Aliens – Hypericum coris in v.c.10 / Iberis × Arabis? 51 

either have three-whorled leaves (H. empetrifolium), 

eglandular sepals (H. amblycalyx), or 

very much smaller leaves (H. ericoides). 

The site is near the top of a mortared retaining 

wall constructed of limestone, with an open 

westerly aspect, matching its wild habitat of 

“sunny, calcareous rocks” in north and central 

Italy, Switzerland and south-east France, as 

described in Flora Europaea. Nine plants were 

present, and all of these had flowered in 2011, 

with just one plant putting out a couple of late 

blooms at the time of the discovery. 

Eric Clement confirmed that H. coris was first 

reported in cultivation in Britain in 1640, and 

that, apart from an obvious (and persistent) 

introduction on a roadside bank near Stow-onthe-Wold 

(v.c.33), noted in 1995 and reported 

in 1997 (see BSBI News, 73: 40), there had been 

no previous records of it being naturalised in 

the country. 

Newchurch church is well-visited by 

botanists, principally because of its population 

In 2009 I had to dig out a shrub and a number 

of bushes arising from its suckers because it 

was threatening an attractive Viburnum in a 

corner of a lawn in front of my house. I then 

dug the area thoroughly and removed seedlings 

and plants from among the limestone rocks that 

enabled me to level the lawn in 1950. Among 

these rocks I had grown rock plants e.g. Aubretia, 

Iberis umbellata (Garden Candytuft), and 

Arabis caucasica (Garden Arabis). In late 

summer of 2010, I noticed a smallish plant new 

to me (see Colour Section, plate 3). It had white 

flowers with four rectangular petals, with the 

two lower (outer) petals larger than the two 

upper ones. The fruits, when they appeared, 

were definitely siliquas, though they were 

completely sterile and shrivelled, without a 

single seed being produced. Stolons from the 

base of the plant spread along the surface of the 

soil and eventually formed rosettes of glabrous, 

rough-edged leaves like those on the stems, 

which had appressed hairs. The flowers 

shouted Iberis (Tim Rich, in his Crucifers of 

Great Britain and Ireland, p. 43, states that 

Iberis is distinct in having large (this plant had 

Iberis × Arabis? 

of Digitaria sanguinalis (Hairy Finger-grass), 

and the fact that H. coris had not been spotted 

earlier suggests that it is not long-established. 

In line with this, a local resident had mentioned 

to Colin Pope that the Erigeron karvinskianus 

was introduced “some years ago” by someone 

who brought it back on holiday from the Continent, 

fitting in with Colin’s observation that it 

was actively colonising in 2000, but apparently 

absent five years earlier. It is therefore possible 

that the H. coris might have been (accidentally?) 

introduced at the same time as the 

Erigeron, although how this might have 

happened is a matter for speculation. It is not 

currently clear whether all nine plants established 

themselves at the same time, or if it is 

actually self-seeding – time may tell. However, 

it may be significant that no plants were present 

lower down on the wall, despite plenty of 

apparently suitable habitat being present there. 

TREVOR EVANS, ‘La Cuesta’, Mountain Road, Chepstow, Gwent, NP16 5BS 

large flowers for its size) asymmetrical petals 

(it certainly had those). The fruits were not 

those of Iberis and they were sterile. The plant 

must be a hybrid, considering the plants that 

had been growing among the rocks edging my 

lawn until recently. I also grew several other 

species of Arabis in my garden so that my 

drawings for Tim Rich’s Crucifers handbook 

would be accurate, however they did not 

survive beyond the early years of 1990s. 

I was so taken by the BSBI News 115 account 

of 334 plants that had been re-named in Stace’s 

3 rd edition of the New flora of the British Isles 

that I forgot to finish perusing it until weeks 

later, when I saw a photograph of a plant named 

Arabis procurrens that matched my plant. I 

pressed the plant, mounted it on a NMW 

herbarium sheet and presented to Tim earlier 

last year. 

Since then I have considered how a plant could 

have arrived from the Balkans and found its way 

into widely separated spots in the British Isles. 

It is not a showy plant. Maybe alpine gardeners 

have imported it for their rock gardens. It looks 

as if it could form colonies. Tim showed me a

52 

specimen in NMW that came from Manchester 

Museum. If the plant came from Manchester via 

Brookwood Cemetery, Woking, Sunning-well 

Churchyard and now my garden in Chepstow, 

Monmouthshire, one has to wonder how the 

plants travelled to such dispersed sites considering 

they do not produce seeds. 

How do we know that the plants in the 

Balkans have been named correctly? I went to 

Romania at Easter at the end of the 1970s, with 

a group of pupils from Chepstow Secondary 

School, with parties to Hungary in 1985, to 

Bulgaria in 1988, to south-west Turkey in 1990 

and north-east Turkey in 1997, but nowhere 

near the Balkans since then. I would like Eric 

Clement to comment how he can be so definite 

the plant is not a hybrid; has DNA been used to 

confirm it? 

Scrophularia grandiflora in Surrey (v.c.17) 

GEORGE HOUNSOME, 14 St John’s Rise, Woking, Surrey, GU21 1PW; 

(george.hounsome@btinternet.com) 

In May 2011 I was recording the flora in 

SU9958, one of my local monads in suburban 

Woking (v.c.17), when I came across a plant 

that was obviously a figwort of some sort but 

a species completely unknown to me. It was 

about 45cm tall and growing out of a short 

retaining wall between a raised pavement and 

the street (see inside back cover). The whole 

plant was densely glandular-hairy. The stem 

and basal leaves were pinnate or almost so, 

with two or three pairs of ovate, acute, coarsely-toothed 

leaflets and a relatively large terminal 

lobe. The flowers were in clusters in the 

axils of the upper leaves/bracts and were 1cm 

or more long, yellowish inside and pale 

reddish-purple outside. I was initially unable 

to find a name to get a handle on what it might 

be, but Eric Clement suggested using the RHS 

Plant Finder and, sure enough, a trawl through 

the species listed there under Scrophularia, 

compared with the images available on the 

internet, produced a good match for Scrophularia 

grandiflora. 

One needs to be a bit circumspect with the 

internet as a resource, so, as I happened to be 

at Kew a couple of days later, I visited the 

Natural Order Beds in the rather forlorn hope 

that it would be there for comparison. This 

time I was lucky! There it was, labelled 

S. grandiflora ssp. grandiflora. Flora 

Europaea gives two sspp. for S. grandiflora: 

ssp. grandiflora (densely glandular-pubescent, 

lower lvs. lyrate, corolla 12–18 mm.) 

from Central Portugal and ssp. reuteri (more 

or less glandular-pubescent, lower leaves 

Aliens – Iberis × Arabis? / Scrophularia grandiflora in Surrey (v.c.17) 

usually undivided, corolla 9-12 (-14) mm.), 

from the mountains of west-central Spain. 

The plant I found seems closest to the type 

ssp., and looked just like the one at Kew. As 

a point of interest, figworts are so called 

because the Doctrine of Signatures suggested 

they could be used to treat piles, once called 

‘figs’, because the cluster of root tubers is said 

to resemble them. I have not yet been able to 

make a direct comparison to confirm it. 

The source of this plant was a nearby garden, 

and the lady of the household told me they had 

bought a plant ten years or so previously, and 

that it had sprung up in odd places ever since. 

The first one I found was sprayed by the council 

shortly afterwards and succumbed immediately 

(whereas the Buddleia growing next to it 

survived to flowering!), but there was another 

at the foot of a wall, out of range of the herbicidal 

maniacs, that escaped to reach maturity 

and set seed. It shows no sign of spreading very 

far and must be regarded only as an interesting 

casual, but it was a pleasure to find it. 

I would like to thank Eric Clement for 

putting me on track for the identification and 

David Bevan for the information from Flora 

Europaea. 

References: 

Royal Horticultural Society. (2011). RHS 

Plantfinder 2011-2012. Royal Horticultural 

Society, London. 

TUTIN, T.G. et al. (eds.) (1972). Flora 

Europaea. Vol. 3. Cambridge University 

Press, Cambridge.

Aliens – Problems over identification of Pyracantha bushes 53 

Problems over identification of Pyracantha bushes 

ERIC J. CLEMENT, 54 Anglesey Road, Gosport, Hants., PO12 2EQ 

Pyracantha (Firethorns) is a small genus of 

popularly cultivated, usually thorny shrubs 

originating from south-eastern Europe to 

eastern Asia. The fruits (pomes) are loved by 

birds, and hence plants soon appear in wild 

places in temperate climates. Seed-chilling is 

necessary for germination. In Britain they 

have yet to reach pest status, unlike in South 

Africa and elsewhere. 

Most books claim a minimum of seven 

species (as listed in the key below), but study 

soon reveals that most of these ‘species’ are 

100% inter-fertile. This is not a surprise, since 

the taxa are based mostly on trivial characters 

of leaf shape and indumentum. The flowers 

and fruit are more or less uniform. The 

isolated native populations, alone, are easily 

identified. 

I note that the wondrous D.J. Mabberley’s 

The plant book (2 nd ed.) (1997) called for 

exactly nine species, whereas the 3 rd edition 

(2008) claims about three, commenting that 

P. coccinea (Firethorn) was “native in G.B. in 

warmer inter-glacials”. The late Dr C. 

Kalkman’s account of Pyracantha in The 

families and genera of vascular plants (ed. K. 

Kubitzki, 2004) (vol. 6: 380) claims about 

three (but, again, does not list them). Clearly, 

horticulturalists have enthusiastically named 

superior garden plants, like P. rogersiana 

(Asian Firethorn), whereas a varietal, or 

subspecific rank is far more appropriate. 

Several keys to Pyracantha ‘species’ exist, 

but none of them do I find effective, e.g. The 

European garden flora 4: 438-439 (1998) 

covers seven species, but starts badly – the 

lead numbers in the first dichotomy should be 

reversed; viz.: it should read 3, 2, and not: 2, 3. 

With much reluctance, I offer yet another 

(non-dichotomous) key that, doubtless, will be 

at most a minimal improvement. 

Leaf underside persistently tomentose; leaves oblong to oblong-obovate angustifolia 

Leaf underside tomentose, becoming sub-glabrous; leaves elliptic to 

obovate-elliptical coccinea 

Leaf underside glabrous or almost so (crenulata agg.) 

Leaf margin of short shoots entire (or almost so); inflorescence hairy. 

Leaves 4-8 × 1.5-2cm, margins flat atalantioides 

Leaves 2-4 × 1-1.5cm, margins slightly recurved koidzumii 

Leaf margin toothed, occasionally weakly so. 

Inflorescence hairy, sometimes thinly; leaf-margin crenate-serrate 

crenatoserrata 

Inflorescence glabrous (or almost so) 

Leaf margin crenate; leaf apex acute or mucronate crenulata 

Leaf margin unequally serrulate; leaf apex obtuse rogersiana 

Note that with the three main taxa above, we 

are exactly back to the treatment in L.H. 

Bailey’s Cyclopedia, vol. 3: 2863-2864 

(1937). Reducing species even further is 

possible. W.J. Bean’s classic Trees and 

shrubs hardy in the British Isles, vol. 3: 442 

(3 rd ed.) (1976) says of P. crenulata that it 

“can scarcely be regarded as more than a 

variety of P. coccinea”. 

Most recent literature replaces the name 

P. crenatoserrata by P. fortuneana (Maxim.) 

H.L. Li. Maybe the holotype of the latter in L 

is conspecific, but the ?isotype at K is referable 

(by W.J. Bean and others) to a Photinia 

species! A mixed gathering? 

Not mentioned in the key above is P. inermis 

Vidal (1949), a native of Indo-China and 

China (south-west Yunnan). Is this a thornless 

variant of P. crenulata? 

Clement & Foster’s Alien plants of the 

British Isles (1994) gives full references to 

four escaping taxa. Since then, I can trace

54 

Aliens – Problems over identification of Pyracantha bushes

Aliens – Problems over identification of Pyracantha bushes / Saxifraga umbrosa – one of our 

rarest flowers? 

only one addition: P. crenatoserrata, found by 

Dr A.C. Leslie on an old railway track in 

Cambridge (TL461616), October 2003, CGE 

(Nature in Cambridgeshire 46: 89 (2004)). 

I firmly believe that in Britain most recent 

escapees are now of hybrid blood (maybe with 

three or more parents). These are so often 

generously planted in droves by councils. 

Hence, formally coining varietal names is of 

limited value, but one does already exist: 

P. crenulata var. rogersiana A.B. Jackson 

(plus the autonym, var. crenulata). 

David Nicolle, ever eager to help, has 

provided us with an illustration (see p. 54) – a 

photocopy of a duplicate in Herb. EJC of his 

BX 1330 herbarium gathering, cultivated at 

Bexley, Kent, May 2009; grown directly from 

seeds of SHPA 975, which was collected (as 

an ‘indet. shrub’) in the wild in the Himalaya, 

Nepal, where only one taxon is on record: 

P. crenulata var. crenulata. Oddly, SHPA 

does not appear in the valuable list of Collectors 

References in the RHS plant finder 2011- 

2012 (pp. 20-23). Help! Is there a more 

complete list published elsewhere? It refers, 

of course, to Chris Chadwell’s Sino-Himalayan 

Plant Association, and specifically 

those plants collected by his collaborators. In 

the SHPA Journal, identifications of 

Chadwell’s and SHPA collection numbers are 

often discussed, e.g., see vol. 43: 27-28 

(August 2011) for the latest reviews. 

This ramble (it is no more!) draws attention 

to a problematic genus, for which, at present, 

I can offer no firm, specific determinations. 

Postscript 

A.C. Leslie draws attention to a useful key at 

www.efloras.org (Flora of China), but 

P. rogersiana does not appear at any rank! 

Saxifraga umbrosa – one of our rarest flowers? 

NORMAN A. THOMPSON, 6 The Grove, Marton, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS7 8AA 

Over many years I have been trying to make a 

photographic record of all the British 

saxifrages, and now require the last two, one 

of which is Saxifraga umbrosa (Pyrenean 

Saxifrage). 

When I received my copy of the New atlas 

of the British & Irish flora, I immediately 

looked for the distribution map for 

S. umbrosa, but there wasn’t one. All the 

index said was “See CD”. As I am 85, I am 

not into computers and CDs, but recently I had 

the brilliant idea of getting my grand-daughter 

to play it for me. I do not think that 

S. umbrosa was mentioned. She then looked 

on the internet to see what came up. A map of 

north Yorkshire seemed to have two red dots. 

I contacted the North & East Yorkshire 

Environmental Data Centre, which was the 

contact given, and they were very helpful. 

They gave me the grid references of the two 

10km squares. I looked up these on the map 

and realised that they were the same locations 

that Nan Sykes, in her book Wild plants in the 

North York Moors gives as Saxifraga ×urbium 

(London Pride), so it looks as though 

55 

NEYEDC has been given the wrong information. 

Prof. John Richards gave a site near 

Hexham, which I visited, but was unable to 

find it. I contacted him, and he went to have a 

look, but he couldn’t find it either. He 

concluded that it must have been washed away 

in a flood, as it was very near to the water’s 

edge. That left me with the site in Hesledon 

Gill, mid-west Yorkshire, which Prof. Stace 

states has been known there since 1792. He 

also vaguely mentions that it might occur in 

Derbyshire and Dunbarton. I went up to the 

Hesledon site last year, on a terrible day. I 

would not have gone, but it was the only day 

the driver could manage. The waterfalls were 

blowing up vertically, and when I got down to 

the river, it was in full spate, and totally 

impassable. A friend had found for me from 

one of his friends the grid reference, and he 

said that it was many years since he had been 

there, that there were very few plants, and that 

the site was on the far side of the river. 

It would appear, therefore, that, from the 

above description, Saxifraga umbrosa would

56 

Aliens – Saxifraga umbrosa – one of our rarest flowers? / Verbascum speciosum new to NW England 

seem to be one of our rarest flowers. If any 

member has a detailed description of the 

location of the plant at its locality at Hesledon, 

Verbascum speciosum (Hungarian Mullein) new to north-west 

England at Formby, Merseyside (v.c.59) 

PHILIP H. SMITH, 9 Hayward Court, Watchyard Lane, Formby, Liverpool, L37 3QP 

In the heat-wave of 30 th September 2011, I 

decided to visit the Ravenmeols woodland, on 

the Formby sand-dunes to photograph Red 

Admirals (Vanessa atalanta) nectaring on 

flowering Hedera hibernica (Atlantic Ivy). 

However, my attention was soon distracted by 

the flower-spikes of an enormous Verbascum 

(Mullein) on the edge of a glade. There were 

two flowering individuals and four first-year 

rosettes within an area of about 2 × 12m at grid 

ref. SD2803605860. It was clearly different 

from any member of this genus I had seen 

before on the Sefton Coast, being about 2m 

tall, with a candelabra-like inflorescence 

supporting numerous small (2-3cm) pale-yellow 

flowers. Examination with a hand-lens 

showed that the leaves and stems were densely 

clothed in short branched hairs. I took photographs 

(see inside front cover) and a small 

amount of material which keyed out in Stace 

(2010) to Verbascum speciosum (Hungarian 

Mullein), a native of south-east Europe. This 

provisional identification was confirmed by 

the Verbascum referee, Victor Johnstone. He 

writes that it has become a troublesome plant 

in his garden due to its high seed production 

and fertility, and further states that the horticultural 

trade could be responsible for 

V. speciosum turning up in the wild, as plants 

he has purchased as V. olympicum have 

I should be very pleased to hear from them. It 

would be very helpful for me when I go next 

year to look for it again. 

frequently turned out to be either V. speciosum 

or V. bombyciferum. 

The habitat at Ravenmeols is somewhat decalcified 

fixed-dune, dominated by Carex 

arenaria (Sand Sedge), within an area fenced 

off in 2004 and planted with young Pinus 

nigra ssp. laricio (Corsican Pine) by the landowner, 

Sefton Borough Council. Other 

associates are Agrostis capillaris (Common 

Bent), Cardamine hirsuta (Hairy Bitter-cress), 

Geranium molle (Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill), 

Luzula campestris (Field Wood-rush) and 

Rumex acetosella (Sheep’s-sorrel). A wellused 

informal footpath runs nearby and the 

site is about 150m from the nearest garden, 

although V. speciosum is not grown there. 

According to the most recent (2011) distribution 

map on the BSBI website, V. speciosum 

has a mostly south-eastern distribution in 

Britain, having been reported from only 53 

hectads (24 post-2000). There appear to have 

been no previously notified records for any of 

the north-west England vice-counties (v.cc. 

58, 59, 60, 69, 70). 


I am grateful to Victor Johnstone for providing 

a determination by return of post. 

Reference: 


Isles. 3 rd edition. Cambridge University 

Press, Cambridge.

Aliens – Notes from Wisley (v.c.17): the sex forms of Cortaderia selloana 57 

Notes from Wisley (v.c.17): the sex forms of Cortaderia selloana 

JAMES ARMITAGE, Botany Department, RHS Garden, Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB 

Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult. f.) 

Asch. & Graebn. (Pampas-grass), was introduced 

to cultivation in the British Isles in 1843, 

when David Moore of Glasnevin, Dublin, 

received seeds sent from Argentina (Stapf, 

1905). It has been popular in cultivation ever 

since and, for the great majority of that time, 

has been a well-behaved garden plant, so much 

so that only seven years ago confirmation that 

it was self-sowing at all was required (Clement, 

2005). It is difficult to believe now that there 

could have been any doubt. A quick look at the 

online BSBI Maps Scheme (www.bsbimaps. 

org.uk/atlas/main.php) shows that it has been 

recorded from 425 hectads. 

At RHS Garden Wisley, self-sown plants 

can regularly be found around the site, and a 

sward of seedlings appeared in a plot where a 

trial of pampas grasses had been held. Nevertheless 

it was with some surprise that Barry 

Phillips and I found 14 young plants, three 

already flowering, growing in a small area of 

the car park beneath some Scot’s Pines. These 

were in addition to five mature and semi-mature 

plants that had been spotted during a 

previous survey. 

Cortaderia selloana is highly invasive in 

other parts of the world, including California, 

New Zealand and Hawaii, but what has 

brought its long lag phase to an end in Britain 

is not clear. As it does not begin to flower 

until autumn, it may be that longer growing 

seasons are allowing seeds to ripen more 

regularly, but the complex breeding system 

the species possesses may also be a factor. 

Edgar & Connor (2000) report that, in natural 

populations, 51% of plants are hermaphrodite 

while 49% are female and, though hermaphrodites 

produce seed, “these are unlikely to give 

rise to many plants; the reproductive system, 

thus, is chiefly dioecious”. 

Wilcox (2007) points out some of the differences 

between C. selloana and C. richardii 

(Endl.) Zotov, but there are also clear differences 

between the sex forms within 

C. selloana, so that they can be told apart even 

from a distance and in winter time. The 

female inflorescence is borne all around a 

usually upright stem, while hermaphrodites 

are one-sided on more arching stems. Female 

inflorescences are white, while in hermaphrodites 

they are often pink-tinged or age to a 

dirty greyish brown. The lemmas of female 

florets bear long hairs, which gives the inflorescence 

as a whole a silky, fleecy appearance 

and texture. Female inflorescences remain 

full well into winter, while hermaphrodites are 

soon skeletal. Hermaphrodite flowers tend to 

emerge slightly earlier. (see Colour Section, 

plate 1). Although, with their mane-like inflorescences, 

some hermaphrodite plants are 

undoubtedly attractive, it is likely that females 

have been favoured over the years, and a lack 

of pollen may be one reason the species was 

kept in check for so long. The appearance of 

hermaphrodites among those seedlings that 

did appear may have contributed to the 

extremely rapid increase in naturalised plants 

observed in recent times. 

I am not aware of a list that deals comprehensively 

with the gender of named cultivars 

of C. selloana, but such a thing may be of use 

to members wishing to trace the source of 

naturalised plants. The table (p. 58) lists the 

gender of all selections listed in the 2011-12 

edition of RHS Plant Finder, with some others 

which may occasionally be encountered in 

gardens. 

References: 

CLEMENT, E.J. (2005). ‘Cortaderia does self 

sow abundantly in Britain’. BSBI News 99: 

47-48. 

EDGAR, E. & CONNOR, H.E. (2000). Flora of 

New Zealand. Vol. V: Grasses. Manaaki 

Whenua Press, New Zealand. 

STAPF, O. (1905). ‘The pampas grasses 

(Cortaderia Stapf)’. Flora and Sylva 3: 

171-176. 

WILCOX, M. (2007). ‘Cortaderia information’. 

BSBI News 106: 33.

58 

Aliens – Notes from Wisley (v.c.17): the sex forms of Cortaderia selloana / Notices – 

Commander John Martin Williamson Topp, OBE 

Table: Gender of Cortaderia selloana selections listed in the RHS Plant Finder 

Female Hermaphrodite (functionally male) 

‘Albolineata’ ‘Andes Silver’ 

‘Aureolineata’ ‘Candy Floss’** 

‘Cool Ice’ ‘Highfield Pink’ 

‘Evita’ ‘Pink Feather’ 

‘Gold Band’ ‘Pink Phantom’ 

‘Golden Goblin’ ‘Rendatleri’ 

‘Icalma’ ‘Roi des Roses’ 

‘Monstrosa’ ‘Rosea’ 

‘Patagonia’ 

‘Petite Plumes’ 

‘Pumila’ 

‘Silver Comet’ 

‘Silver Feather’ (‘Notcort’) 

‘Silver Fountain’ 

‘Silver Stripe’ 

‘Splendid Star’ 

‘Sunningdale Silver’ 

‘White Feather’* 

*Seed-raised so sex may vary. 

**The erroneous attribution of this cultivar to C. jubata (Lem.) Stapf will 

be discussed in a future edition of Hanburyana. 

NOTICES 

Commander John Martin Williamson Topp, OBE (1937-2011) 

CLIVE M. LOVATT, (BSBI Administrative Officer), 67 Park Street, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain 

Ash, CF45 3YW; accounts@bsbi.org.uk 

Commander Topp was born in 1937 and died 

on 15 th March 2011. He was a naval officer 

who had been the British Representative on 

the British Indian Ocean Territory, situated 

midway between Madagascar and Sri Lanka, 

resident at the US Military base on Diego 

Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos Archipelago. 

He joined the BSBI in 1974 and had 

membership addresses in Hampshire and 

London. For many years he maintained a 

home on Ibiza and led BSBI foreign field 

meetings to the Spanish Eastern Pyrenees in 

64 

1990 and to Ibiza in 1999. He was a member 

of the Meetings Committee. 

Letters in BSBI News show that he had a dry, 

mocking wit. His guide to ‘field meetingship’ 

no doubt deliberately owes something to 

Stephen Potter’s Gamesmanship. He suggests 

that participants should “assume that your 

leader knows everything” and describes the 

CTW Excursion flora as “having a good 

weight to impressiveness ratio”. He also 

wrote in the same manner on the rather

Notices – Commander John M..W. Topp, OBE / Plant Records in New Journal of Botany 59 

pedantic format of the official English names 

of plants. 

At the Exhibition Meeting in 1986 he 

referred to an annotated checklist of the flora 

of Diego Garcia, presumably of his own 

authorship, covering 180 species, with notes 

on their distribution and ecology, 65 species 

more than were found in a checklist of 20 

years earlier. 

His OBE was granted in 2004, for services 

to the environment and conservation in the 

British Indian Ocean Territories. He was the 

founder, and webmaster, of the Chagos 

Conservation Trust, and would have been 

exceptionally proud, if perhaps with mixed 

feelings, when the Territory (excluding Diego 

Garcia) became an IUCN Category 1 Marine 

Protected Area in 2010. He received a warm 

‘farewell’ from the President in exile, Allen 

Vincatassin, notwithstanding the report in 

Wikileaks that the protection of the military 

base and the continued exclusion of the former 

residents was all part of the package. Photographs 

of Commander Topp can be found 

online at: http://www.coralcaybookings.com/ 

blog/index.php/2011/05/26/commander-johnmw-topp-obe-rn-fls-1937-2011/ 

Commander Topp kindly left two legacies to 

the BSBI, and had the generosity to index-link 

them so that their value after he made his will 

in 2004 would not be eroded. He left 

£12,529.79 with the condition that: “such sum 

to be used to assist amateur or professional 

botanists (with priority for any who serve or 

have served in Her Majesty’s Royal Navy or 

the Army) to undertake studies in the field at 

home or abroad as the Society may decide”. 

Some of the reasons for this can be seen in the 

short account above. The reason for the 

second legacy is that he was, according to 

Sarah Stille, a regular attendee at the Welsh 

AGMs, which he always seemed to enjoy: 

£1,252.91 was left to the Welsh Branch of the 

BSBI, with the request that it should “enable 

the membership of the said Society to enjoy 

drinks at my expense at the Society’s [Welsh] 

Annual General Meeting”. We will ensure 

that his wishes are followed, and no doubt our 

Welsh members will raise their glasses to his 

memory for some years to come. 

Information about ‘Plant Records’ in the New Journal of Botany 

MIKE PORTER (Plant Records Editor), 5 West Avenue, Wigton, Cumbria, CA7 9LG 

Please note that there will be no ‘Plant 

Records’ in the second issue of the New 

Journal of Botany. My hope is to compile 

records for every other issue of the NJB (i.e. 

Issues 1, 3, 5 etc.). Since it is intended to 

eventually have four issues of NJB per year, 

this will mean two sets of Plant Records per 

year – as with Watsonia. I hope this will meet 

with general approval. 

Also, my ‘wanadoo’ email address is now 

defunct, so material for ‘Plant Records’ should 

be sent to: carexmike@yahoo.co.uk. I am 

concerned that records sent over the past few 

months using the ‘wanadoo’ address may not 

have reached me so would like to ask any 

Vice-county Recorders who have sent records 

via ‘wanadoo’ since May to check with me to 

see if I have received them.

60 

Annual Exhibition Meeting: vegetative i.d. quiz 

JOHN POLAND, 91 Ethelburt Avenue, Southampton, Hants., SO16 3DF; 

(jpp197@alumni.soton.ac.uk) 

Thanks to everyone who took part in my quiz 

at the Annual Exhibition Meeting in London 

last November. The prize was simply a 

mention of highest scoring entries in BSBI 

News. Congratulations are due to Geoffrey 

Hall, Geoff Joyce, Brian Laney and John 

Swindells for highly admirable scores for 

what was quite a tricky test of i.d. skills. 

The answers, along with the diagnostic 

identification characters, are given below: 

(1) Thuja plicata (Western Red-cedar) – 

Conifer; leaves imbricate, opposite, pineapple-scented; 

branchlets in one plane. 

(2) Brachyglottis ×jubar (Shrub Ragwort) – 

Evergreen shrub; leaves simple, alternate, 

toothed, white-felted below. 

(3) Viburnum rhytidophyllum (Wrinkled 

Viburnum) – Evergreen shrub; leaves 

simple, opposite, toothed, stellate-hairy; 

stipules absent. 

(4) Parietaria judaica (Pellitory-of-the-wall) 

– Tufted perennial; leaves simple, alternate, 

entire,

Requests – Can you save these aliens? 61 

REQUESTS 

Can you save these aliens? 

CLIVE STACE, ‘Cringlee’, Claybrooke Road, Ullesthorpe, Leics., LE17 5AB 

DAVID PEARMAN, ‘Algiers’, Feock, Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6RA 

The inventory of species (the ‘standard list’) 

included in the New flora of the British Isles 

(1991, 1997, 2010) and New atlas of the 

British & Irish flora (2002) is based on extensive 

discussions held in the 1980s with many 

field botanists, notably David McClintock, 

Douglas Kent and Eric Clement. That was 

over 20 years ago, and we feel that it is now 

time to update the list by deleting those 

species that no longer occur and adding 

newcomers. This process has been pursued 

continually with regard to naturalised taxa, but 

the list of casuals is beginning to look dated 

(largely due to the demise of wool-aliens). 

Achillea ligustica 

Aethorrhiza bulbosa 

Agrostis hyemalis 

Amaranthus capensis 

Amaranthus palmeri 

Ammophila breviligulata 

Amphibromus (Helictotrichon) 

neesii 

Astragalus cicer 

Atriplex suberecta 

Bidens bipinnata 

Bromus japonicus 

Calotis cuneifolia 

Carduus acanthoides 

Cenchrus echinatus 

Centranthus calcitrapae 

Ceratochloa brevis 

Ceratochloa carinata 

Ceratochloa staminea 

Chenopodium bushianum 

Chenopodium nitrariaceum 

Chloris divaricata 

Chloris truncata 

Chloris virgata 

Chrysocoma tenuifolia 

Coronilla scorpioides 

Cullen (Psoralea) americanum 

Cynodon incompletus 

Dactyloctenium radicans 

Daucus glochidiatus 

Dichondra micrantha 

Dysphania (Chenopodium) 

carinata 

D. cristata 

D. multifida 

D. pumilio 

Ehrharta stipoides 

Eleusine multiflora 

Eleusine tristachya 

Eragrostis minor 

Eragrostis parviflora 

Eragrostis tef 

Eragrostis virescens 

Eriochloa pseudoacrotricha 

Fumaria (any hybrids) 

Gastridium phleoides 

Geropogon glaber (Tragopogon 

hybridus) 

Hainardia cylindrica 

Hedypnois cretica 

Holosteum umbellatum 

Hordeum euclaston 

Hordeum pubiflorum 

Hordeum pusillum 

Lamarckia aurea 

Lathyrus sativus 

Lepidium africanum 

Lepidium bonariense 

Lepidium divaricatum 

Lepidium graminifolium 

The following species are included in New 

flora and in the New atlas project, but each has 

no record or only one record in the BSBI 

database post 1986. Unless we can find better 

evidence of their continued presence we shall 

remove them from the ‘standard list’, although 

of course the BSBI will continue to collect any 

records of them that are made. 

If any members have records of any of these 

species from 1987 onwards we would be most 

grateful to hear of them. Please send records 

to CAS either by post or (preferably) to: 

cstace@btinternet.com. 

Lepidium hyssopifolium 

Leptochloa fusca 

Malva preissiana (Lavatera 

plebeia) 

Monsonia brevirostrata 

Myriophyllum heterophyllum 

Myriophyllum verrucosum 

Ononis alopecuroides 

Ononis baetica 

Ononis natrix 

Onopordum nervosum 

Phalaris brachystachys 

Ridolfia segetum 

Rosa ×paulii 

Rumex brownii 

Rytidosperma racemosum 

Schismus barbatus 

Scolymus hispanicus 

Senecio pterophorus 

Sida rhombifolia 

Siegesbeckia orientalis 

Spiraea ×brachybotrys 

Sporobolus africanus 

Stipa capensis 

Tetragonia tetragonioides 

Tragus australianus 

Tragus berteronianus 

Tragus racemosus 

Trigonella corniculata

62 

Requests – Blinks (Montia fontana) (subspecies) / Gentianopsis ciliata recovery project 

Blinks (Montia fontana) (subspecies) 

MICHAEL WILCOX, 32 Shawbridge St., Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 1LZ; 

(michaelpw22@hotmail.com) 

Montia fontana (Blinks) can be a frequent 

plant in many kinds of damp places throughout 

the British Isles, (Stace, 2010). In the UK 

it is split into four subspecies: ssp. fontana, 

ssp. chondrosperma, ssp. variabilis and ssp. 

amporitana (see the excellent plates in Stace 

(2010): 506). The BSBI maps show very 

scattered records of the subspecies, in very 

varied date-classes. It is easy to record Blinks 

as the nominate species, as it is often seen 

without mature seeds, and often we do not 

have the time to go back to check for ripe 

seeds, which may have gone anyway, but they 

are required to identify the subspecies. 

I would like to encourage the recording of 

the subspecies and would be interested in 

receiving Blinks with ripe seeds (either just 

the seeds or some of the plant with 

ripe/ripening seeds). If it is not fruiting at all 

then please send a bit of a live plant with roots 

in a small plastic bag. Plants can then be kept 

in a small tub of water (e.g. a yoghurt pot) for 

some time. I will grow these on to see what 

seed type they have (using Stace). If you 

already record the subspecies I would still be 

pleased to receive some named voucher 

material with seeds for each subspecies noted. 

Location, grid reference, date, vice county and 

recorder/s please (any other info welcome). 

This is mainly for non-fruiting plants to grow 

on and to get a better idea of the distributions 

of the subspecies. Like many other plants, 

these plants would benefit from molecular 

studies and if anyone knows of anyone doing 

this I would be interested in any information. 

The rank of subspecies is and will remain 

disputed, until such time as genetic studies can 

be carried out (Blinks is treated at different 

levels elsewhere). I look forward to hearing 

from you. 

Reference: 


Isles. 3 rd ed. Cambridge University Press, 

Cambridge. 

Gentianopsis ciliata (Fringed Gentian) recovery project: request 

for help 

SIMON J. LEACH, Natural England, Riverside Chambers, Castle Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 

4AP; (simon.j.leach@naturalengland.org.uk) 

JO HODGKINS, National Trust, Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP14 4LA; 

(joanne.hodgkins@nationaltrust.org.uk) 

The National Trust and Natural England have 

begun a project to restore the fortunes of 

Gentianopsis ciliata (Fringed Gentian) at its 

sole extant, presumed-native site in Britain. 

The work has two elements: (1) scrub control 

and re-instatement of appropriate grazing 

management to produce and maintain suitable 

habitat conditions for the species; and (2) 

creation of a ‘captive’ stock of plants, to be held 

in reserve for augmenting the wild population, 

should this become necessary. With currently 

little or no seed being produced in the wild 

(only one flower in 2011), we had hoped to use 

seeds – collected from the native site – being 

stored at the Millennium Seed Bank, 

Wakehurst; but unfortunately we have now 

learnt that these were found to be non-viable. 

We realise this is a long shot, especially so 

as G. ciliata was added to Schedule 8 in 1988, 

but does anyone out there have seeds or plants 

in cultivation known to have been derived 

from the wild population in the Chilterns? 

And if anyone does, might it be possible for a 

small quantity to be donated to the project to 

enable the establishment of a captive population 

at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation 

Programme facilities in Devon? We would be 

grateful if anyone with either material or information 

could, in the first instance, contact SJL 

at the email address above. Many thanks.

Requests – Seeking variations in Alnus glutinosa / Appeal for digital photos for BSBI Annual 

Review 2011 

Seeking variations in Alnus glutinosa 

MICHAEL BELL, 10 Cambridge Avenue, Forest Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE12 8AR; 

(michael@beaverbell.co.uk) 

I have joined the BSBI to further my project of 

developing Alnus glutinosa (Alder) as a grain 

crop. 

My reasons are: 

To find something that can be profitably grown 

on the uplands – 40% of Britain’s land area. 

There was little money in hill farming in my 

childhood in the Cheviots and there is less now. 

This country cannot feed itself. I have tested 

that alder seeds are edible and they could be 

used for any of the many purposes that 

any grain (wheat, rice, etc.) is used for. 

Alder fixes nitrogen and A. glutinosa grows as 

far south as Tunisia, which is on the latitude of 

northern India and the main body of China. 

There are 30 species of alder in the world, so 

there are worldwide opportunities. I have made 

enough progress to warrant asking others to 

spend just a little time on it. 

In particular I have: 

Found seeds which, at about 6mm on the 

longest axis, are about the size of some rice 

grains. They germinate to produce cotyledons 

8mm across, which is much bigger than usual. 

I did this by going round wild trees, breaking 

open the cones, and sieving the seeds. (I may 

have sieved many millions of seeds, but it is 

much harder to see many millions of trees. 

That’s what I am asking the Society’s help for.) 

Found a very fast growing tree, which has 

reached 3m in three years, and will probably 

fruit in its 4 th year. 

Developed methods of growing seeds this year 

and grafting them onto adult trees to get fertilisation 

next year, so shortening the breeding 

cycle from 6-7 years to two years. 

But still I want more! It would be asking too 

much to ask others to search for bigger seeds. 

That needs a sieve and lots of patient work, 

though I would be willing to supply the necessary 

kit to anybody who wants to do it. What I 

would like to do is to ask members to be alert for 

Alders which show unusual traits, such as: 

Less robust cones. It can be difficult to get the 

seeds out, and the cones seem to use a lot of the 

tree’s effort. 

Different growth habits. The different growth 

habits of ornamental trees and the ballerina 

apple were found by accident. There should be 

similar variations in Alder. I found a dwarf 

variety of Alder, but I am not sure how to use 

it. Variations of growth habit might make a 

huge difference to mechanical harvesting. 

Any other interesting variation. It is hard to 

know what use it might be put to, but it might 

have interaction with another variation. 

Although Alders classically grow near water, 

they also grow on well-drained sites. Some 

Alders are ‘philanderers’ – they have masses 

of catkins but very few cones. I do not want 

them! 

If members find something of interest, I would 

be very grateful to get a specimen. 

Please send a letter or e-mail or phone message 

to me. We could arrange to meet at a convenient 

time and place and you could take me to it, or 

you could mark the tree in some way and send 

me a grid reference (GPS is nominally accurate 

to one metre), or over the winter season, you 

could send me twigs with catkins, with a note of 

what is interesting about it. I can let it flower in 

the spring to fertilise my other stocks. 

Appeal for digital photos for BSBI Annual Review 2011 

CLIVE M. LOVATT, (BSBI Administrative Officer), 67 Park Street, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain 

Ash, CF45 3YW; accounts@bsbi.org.uk 

Anyone with interesting and good quality 

digital photos which would help to give an 

account of the BSBI’s activities in 2011 can 

send them to Clive Lovatt at: accounts@bsbi. 

org.uk, as soon as possible on appearance of 

63 

this note. Particularly welcome will be pictures 

of named botanists in the field or at indoor 

meetings, and of Bluebells, which are our 

emblem, albeit in stylised form.

64 

101 rare plants of Wales: request for digital images 

LAUREN CRANMER & TIM RICH, National Museum of Wales, Cardiff , CF10 3NP 

We are preparing a popular guide to rare 

Welsh plants, to raise their profile in the public 

eye. Each species will have a short account 

understandable to a non-specialist audience, a 

distribution map and a photograph. Care will 

be taken not to give any sensitive locations to 

protect vulnerable populations. 

Requests – 101 rare plants of Wales: request for digital images 

If anybody has any good quality digital 

photographs of the species listed below, these 

would be greatly appreciated (we have slides 

of many but the quality is never the same from 

scans). We offer a copy of 101 rare plants of 

Wales in return for any we use, and their 

sources will be acknowledged. 

Artemisia campestris ssp. maritima Liparis loeselii 

Asplenium trichomanes ssp. pachyrachis Luronium natans 

Aster linosyris Lycopodiella inundata 

Bupleurum tenuissimum Lycopodium clavatum 

Campanula patula Marrubium vulgare 

Carex divisa Matthiola sinuata 

Carex muricata ssp. muricata Melittis melissophyllum 

Centaurea cyanus Mentha pulegium 

Cephalanthera longifolia Monotropa hypopitys 

Cerastium arcticum (non-Shetland) Neotinea ustulata 

Chamaemelum nobile Oenanthe fistulosa 

Clinopodium acinos Pilularia globulifera 

Dactylorhiza purpurella ssp. cambrensis Poa glauca 

Dianthus armeria Polystichum lonchitis 

Draba aizoides Potamogeton compressus 

Eleocharis parvula Potentilla rupestris 

Eriophorum gracile Pseudorchis albida 

Euphorbia serrulata Pulicaria vulgaris 

Euphrasia cambrica Ranunculus arvensis 

Euphrasia officinalis ssp. anglica Ranunculus tripartitus 

Euphrasia ostenfeldii Rumex rupestris 

Euphrasia pseudokerneri Salsola kali ssp. kali 

Euphrasia rivularis Saxifraga cespitosa 

Euphrasia rostkoviana ssp. montana Scandix pecten-veneris 

Gagea bohemica Scleranthus annuus 

Galeopsis angustifolia Scorzonera humilis 

Galeopsis segetum Senecio cambrensis 

Galeopsis speciosa Silene gallica 

Genista pilosa Stellaria nemorum ssp. montana 

Gentianella anglica Stellaria palustris 

Gymnadenia borealis Tephroseris integrifolia ssp. maritima 

Gymnadenia conopsea Trichomanes speciosum (sporophyte) 

Gymnadenia densiflora Trifolium strictum 

Hammarbya paludosa Trollius europaeus 

Hordeum marinum Vicia orobus 

Hypericum linariifolium Viola lactea 

Impatiens noli-tangere Woodsia ilvensis 

Juncus capitatus 

Please send them to either: Lauren.Cranmer@museumwales.ac.uk or 

Tim.Rich@museumwales.ac.uk

Offers – Botanical meetings in Devon / Plant slides from foreign countries / Gofynne seed list 2012 65 

Botanical meetings in Devon 

DAVID J. ALLEN, Higher Quantock, Stockland, Honiton, Devon, EX14 9DX (Chairman) 

If you live in, or are planning to visit Devon, 

you might be interested in the field meetings 

organised by the Devonshire Association’s 

Botany Section. These meetings are held 

across the county and cover all of Devon’s 

varied habitats. Non-members are welcome to 

attend, and will be able to draw on the exper- 

Slides/transparencies of flora and habitats 

taken by Stephanie and Peter Thomson – 

BSBI members for over 50 years – during 

their many foreign excursions; all boxed and 

carefully labelled, some with accompanying 

notes. 

Poland August 1989 14 boxes 

Corfu September 1987 8 boxes 

Rhodes April 1986 200 slides 

Andalucia April 1990 8 boxes 

Algarve April 1995 9 boxes 

Norway 1969 1 box 

Australia 1990s 18 boxes 

with detailed notes 

Slovenia 1999 with notes 

OFFERS 

tise of some of the county’s most experienced 

botanists. 

If you would like a copy of the 2012 

programme you can email the Section secretary 

(Tim Purches) at tnpurches@hotmail.co. 

uk, or send a stamped address envelope to: 22 

Hopton Close, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 5JJ. 

Plant slides from foreign countries, from the collection of the late 

Stephanie Thomson (VC Recorder for Herefordshire) 

Gofynne seed list 2012 

Cyprus 2001 

Pontresinas 

(Switzerland) 2000 

Canada July 1990 20+ boxes 

Mixed Wengen (Switzerland) & Crete 

Mixed Central European mountains + 

Europe-Alpine 

Free for collection or to someone who is 

willing to pay the postage. Alternatively, 

could be collected at the April Recorders’ 

Meeting in Shrewsbury. 

The slides are currently held at Herefordshire 

Biological Records Centre. 

Please contact Peter Garner (email: 

petergarner@live.co.uk; Tel.: 01684 564957) 

ANDREW SHAW, Gofynne, Llanynis, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3HN; 

(andrewgshaw@hotmail.com) 

A small quantity of seed from any of the 

following species is sent free upon receipt of a 

s.a.e. 

Anogramma leptophylla (spores) 

Bupleurum baldense 

Chenopodium vulvaria 

Corrigiola littoralis 

Crepis foetida 

Cyperus fuscus 

Herniaria glabra 

Hypericum humifusum × H. linariifolium 

Juncus pygmaeus 

Lactuca saligna 

Lonicera xylosteum 

Lotus subbiflorus 

Myosurus minimus 

Ononis reclinata 

Petrorhagia nanteuilii 

Pulicaria vulgaris 

Ranunculus parviflorus 

Trifolium strictum

66 

Seeds from Ware – 2011 collections 

GORDON HANSON, 1 Coltsfoot Road, Ware, Herts., SH12 7NW 

Please enclose suitable labelled small packets and 

S.A.E. for anything required. 

Aconogonon alpinum – cult. 

Albuca shawii – cult. 

Alcea froloviana – cult. 

Allium polyanthum – cult. 

Alyssoides sinuata – cult. 

Amaranthus blitoides – ex wool waste 

Amaranthus hybridus – Mexico 

Anemone virginiana – USA 

Anomatheca laxa – USA 

Aquilegia canadensis – Canada 

Aquilegia fragrans – cult. 

Bassia scoparia – Canada 

Beckmannia syzigachne – Russia 

Bupleurum heldreichii – cult. 

Carduus pycnocephalus – Turkey 

Ceratochloa cathartica – New Zealand 

Chenopodium chenopodioides – Sussex 

Chloris virgata – cult. 

Colutea arborescens – cult. 

Commelina hasskarlii – ex lentils 

Coreopsis leavenworthii – USA 

Coronilla valentina – Croatia 

Digitalis ciliata – cult. 

Digitalis purpurea ssp. maderense – Madeira 

Echium pininana – Cornwall 

Eryngium biebersteinianum – Kashmir 

Eucomis zambesiaca – cult. 

Geranium rubescens – cult. 

Helenium amarum – Canada 

Hieracium argillaceum – Herts. 

Hieracium grandidens – Derbys. 

Hieracium pulmonarioides – cult. 

Hieracium sabaudum – N. Wales 

Hieracium subaequialtum – Derbys. 

Hieracium sublepistoides – Derbys. 

Iberis gibraltarica – cult. 

Iris pseudacorus – Turkey 

Isoplexis canariensis – Tenerife 

Kniphofia sp. – natlsd Herts. 

Liatris pilosa – USA 

Ligusticum lucidum – cult. 

Ligustrum lucidum – Cyprus 

Luzula nivea – Canada 

Lotus cytisoides – Croatia 

Mandragora officinarum – Cyprus 

Melasphaerula graminea – cult. 

Mestoklema tuberosum – cult. 

Morina persica – Greece 

Nectaroscordum siculum – Avon 

Offers – Seeds from Ware – 2011 collections 

Nepeta italica – Turkey 

Nothofagus alpina – Chile 

Oenothera sp. – Chile 

Onobrychis altissima – Turkey 

Opopanax acaule – Turkey 

Opopanax bracteatum – Turkey 

Opopanax carduchorum – Turkey 

Opopanax hispidus – Turkey 

Opopanax messeniacum – Greece 

Oxalis valdiviensis – cult. 

Papaver ? persicum – Turkey 

Paracaryum angustifolium – cult. 

Penstemon hirsutus – USA 

Petrorhagia nanteuilii – Spain 

Petrorhagia prolifera – Croatia 

Phacelia tanacetifolia – Herts. 

Physalis heterophylla – Canada 

Phytolacca acinosa – cult. 

Pilosella officinarum – cult. 

Rumex caucasicus – Turkey 

Rumex crispus – Canada 

Rumex obtusifolius – Canada 

Rumex rupestris – Anglesey 

Salvia deserta – Kazakhstan 

Salvia patens – cult. 

Salvia sclarea – Tajikistan 

Salvia verbenaca – Croatia 

Salvia verticillata – Turkey 

Salvia virgata – Turkey 

Scilla autumnalis – cult. 

Scrophularia vernalis – Norfolk 

Scutellaria altissima – cult. 

Sigesbeckia serrata – ex wool waste 

Silene colorata – Italy 

Silene fruticosa – Cyprus 

Silene nocturna – Turkey 

Sisymbrium strictissimum – cult. 

Sonchus palustris – Kent 

Stachys cretica – Turkey 

Stipa cernua – USA 

Strobilanthes atropurpurea – cult. 

Tragopogon turkestanicus – cult. 

Verbascum phlomoides – Turkey 

Verbascum levanticum – Cyprus 

Verbascum roripifolium – Turkey 

Verbascum speciosum – Surrey 

Verbascum thapsus – Turkey 

Vicia tenuifolia – Tajikistan 

Vicia villosa – Spain 

Xanthium canadense – Canada

News of Members – Gwynn Ellis – Marsh Award for Botany 67 

NEWS OF MEMBERS 

Gwynn Ellis – Marsh Award for Botany 

SIMON LEACH, Natural England, Riverside Chambers, Castle Street, Taunton, Somerset, 

TA1 4AP 

IAN TAYLOR, Natural England, Juniper House, Murley Moss, Oxenholme Road, Kendal, 

Cumbria, LA9 7RL 

NICOLA HUTCHINSON, Plantlife, 14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1DX 

MICHAEL F. FAY, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3DS 

TIM RICH, Welsh National Herbarium, Dept Biodiversity & Systematic Biology, National 

Museum of Wales, Cardiff, CF10 3NP 

Gwynn has held numerous roles within the 

Botanical Society of the British Isles, at 

various times being Vice-President, Membership 

Secretary, Honorary General Secretary, 

member of the Records Committee (for at 

least the last 20 years) and the Publications 

Committee, producer of the BSBI Yearbook, 

secretary to the Wales Committee, compiler of 

Welsh records for the BSBI Welsh Bulletin, 

etc. He currently sits on the Society’s Publications 

Committee and until very recently on the 

Records Committee. Behind the scenes, 

Gwynn also organises from his home the 

distribution of various BSBI publications (e.g. 

Change in the British flora 1987-2004, 

published in 2006), including ‘pre-pub’ offers 

to BSBI members – he is an expert packer and 

poster of unwieldy volumes! 

His most obvious achievement, however, is 

BSBI News. Gwynn took on the role of editing 

BSBI News in 1986 (No. 43), and did this job 

single-handedly from then until September 

2002 (No. 91), thereafter doing it jointly (apart 

from No. 106) – first with Leander Wolstenholme 

(Nos. 92-105), and then with Trevor 

James (107 onwards). This means he has now 

edited and produced camera-ready copy of 

BSBI News for a quarter of a century! 

His editing skills are legendary, and have 

been employed widely by the Society. He has 

co-edited several publications, e.g. The Vicecounty 

census catalogue (2003) and Current 

taxonomic research on the British and 

European flora (2006). 

His role as BSBI chief ‘indexer’ is often 

overlooked. Yet he has ‘done the index’ for 

many important publications, e.g. the New 

atlas of the British and Irish flora (2002), both 

the 2 nd (1997) and 3 rd (2010) editions of 

Stace’s New flora of the British Isles, Newton 

& Randall’s Atlas of British and Irish 

brambles (2004) and vol. 3 of Sell & 

Murrells’s Flora of Great Britain and Ireland. 

He is also frequently involved in proofreading 

such publications, e.g. Stace’s New 

flora, for which he is acknowledged in the 3 rd 

edition for not only “compiling the very full 

index” but also for “exhaustively proofreading 

most of the text...” (at more than 1200 

pages, that was some job!). He is also a skilled 

typesetter, being responsible, for example, for 

typesetting The vegetative key to the British 

flora (Poland & Clement, 2009). 

Gwynn’s contribution to botany has so often 

tended to be ‘behind the scenes’, assisting his 

fellow botanists to place the fruits of their 

labours on permanent record. In Watsonia, for 

example, his main contributions have been 

book reviews and obituaries – celebrations, if 

you like, of the achievements of others – rather 

than scientific papers of his own. Yet there 

have been innumerable articles and notes in 

BSBI News and the BSBI Welsh Bulletin, of 

course, and – let’s not forget – he is also the 

author of books like Flowering plants of 

Wales (1983) and Aliens in the British flora 

(1993), and a co-author of the Flora of 

Glamorgan (Wade, Kay & Ellis, 1994). 

In 1995, Gwynn retired from the National 

Museum of Wales, where he managed the 

Welsh National Herbarium. He had been 

inspired by herbarium specimens as a student

68 

at Aberystwyth. He is thoroughly Welsh, and 

proudly so. He enjoys a pint, and rugby of 

course. He has a great sense of fun, and may 

pull the occasional practical joke on his 

May I just say that while it was a great privilege 

and honour to be given this award and I 

am very grateful to all involved, I must 

acknowledge the help of my wife, Maria, who 

for the past 25 years has put up with one of our 

three bedrooms being turned into an office, 

and a second into a storeroom, and with the 

front room, hall and landing being lined with 

boxes and books that no longer fit in the 

News of Members – Gwynn Ellis – Marsh Award for Botany 

Gwynn Ellis. Photo © Whild Associates 

friends. He’s a thoroughly good bloke, and 

certainly if you’re looking for an ‘unsung 

hero’ in the botanical world, Gwynn’s your 

man! 

storeroom! During that period she has also 

stuck up to 200,000 mailing labels onto 

envelopes and then helped stuff the envelopes 

with between five and ten or more separate 

inserts so in that 25 years she could well have 

handled over one million items. It is no 

exaggeration to say that I could not have done 

what I have done without her help and encouragement. 

RGE

Botanical Crossword 17 69 

BOTANICAL CROSSWORD 17 

by CRUCIADA 

Across 

1. Feature of Orchids, Violas etc., acts as 

incentive (4) 

4. One moving in to establish itself in gut is 

at end of tract (8) 

8. It is heard to remain masculine, naturally 

(6) 

9. Morning passed by gooseberry, perhaps, 

preparing surprise attack (6) 

10. Spores found here or in international 

system (4) 

11. Mr Milligan allowed us to see grass 

feature (8) 

13. Could this grass be waving after hearing 

bark? (5,4,4) 

16. Any hitch planned is bound to have bells 

on (8) 

19. Flag leaders in reeds, in swamps (4) 

20. Use soap at preparation of marmalade 

plum (6) 

22. Bird I’m backing to expose main vein (6) 

23. Sell cannabis composite? (8) 

24. Barks of Laurus trees (4) 

Down 

2. Hog play to be thrown out when suffering 

bad health (9) 

3. Has this fumitory secured a representative 

in band? (7) 

4. They bear the seeds of colour vision (5) 

5. Meadow is one that ain’t what it used to be 

at budburst (7) 

6. No blemish found in this fir (5) 

7. Start giving rocket to relative (3) 

12. In treatment of debility, I use quality of 

food plants (9) 

14. Make an arrangement to include visit to 

clinic with teeth (7) 

15. Shamrock trimmed by extreme tractor if 

bud comes up (4,3) 

17. Original cotton and some hairs make up 

pappus (5) 

18. Muggy murmur of identification (5) 

21. Cleavers this goosegrass this sticky willy, 

for example (3)

70 

BOOK NOTES 

JOHN EDMONDSON, Book Reviews Editor, 243 Pensby Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH61 5UA; 

(bsbireviews@mac.com) 

The following titles are to be reviewed in 

forthcoming issues of New Journal of Botany. 

Also included are brief notices of books that 

are not being given a full review (marked *). 

*Remembered remedies: Scottish traditional 

plant lore. Anne Barker. Birlinn, 2011. 

ISBN 978 1 78027 004 3. £9.99 p/b. By no 

means restricted to Scottish native plants 

(e.g. “Oil of Cloves”) the subjects of this 

pocket-sized book are grouped under broad 

habitat headings. The information was 

collected by an oral history project of the 

same name. Not all the entries are for 

‘remedies’ - included are notes on methods 

of gathering lichens for use as dyes. 

The story of south Yorkshire botany: including 

the first transcription of Jonathan Salt’s 

Flora Sheffieldiensis. Graeme L.D. Coles. 

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, 2011. ISBN 

978 0 9565378 1 2. £12.00 p/b. 

The book of leaves. Allan J. Coombes. New 

Holland, 2011. ISBN 978 1 78009 059 7. 

£24.99 h/b. 

European garden flora (5 vols., 2nd edition). 

James Cullen, Sabina Knees & Janet Cubey 

(eds.). Cambridge University Press, 2011. 

ISBN (set) 978 0 521 76167 3. £600 h/b. 

Atlas of British and Irish hawkweeds. David 

McCosh & Tim Rich. BSBI, 2011. ISBN 

978 0 901158 44 4. £16.00 p/b. 

The changing nature of Scotland. Susan J. 

Marrs, Simon Foster, Catriona Hendrie, 

Edward C. Mackey and Des Thompson 

Book Notes / Obituary Notes 

(eds.). TSO Scotland, 2011. ISBN 978 0 11 

497359 9. £27.50 h/b. 

Webb’s An Irish Flora (8 th edition). John 

Parnell & Tom Curtis (eds.). Cork University 

Press, 2011. ISBN 978 1 85918 478 3. 

€35.00 h/b. 

*A sedentary job? (or forty years as a botanist 

at Kew Gardens). Alan Radcliffe-Smith. 

Foreword by Sir Ghillean Prance. Privately 

distributed by David Radcliffe-Smith, 2010. 

219 pp. No ISBN; not for sale. Autobiography 

of a Kew taxonomist and monographer, 

distributed in exchange for donations to 

Hope Now and Mission Aviation Fellowship. 

A highly readable account of the life 

and work of a slightly eccentric but wellloved 

member of the Kew herbarium staff, 

with detailed travelogues of his major 

expeditions (e.g. to Socotra and Dhofar) and 

brief detours into his spiritual life, awoken 

by Billy Graham. 

Flora of King’s Lynn. Frances Schumann & 

Robin Stevenson. Norfolk & Norwich 

Naturalists’ Society, 2011. Occasional Paper 

13. ISBN 0 9501130 8 5. £8 p/b. 

Some aspects of the botany of the Shetland 

Islands. Walter Scott. The author, 2011. 

ISBN 978-0956783608. £26.00 h/b. 

The south Yorkshire plant atlas. Geoffrey 

Wilmore, Jeff Lunn & John Rodwell (eds.). 

Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union and Yorkshire 

& The Humber Ecological Data Trust, 2011. 

ISBN 978 0 9565378 0 5 £47.00 h/b. 

OBITUARY NOTES 

MARY BRIGGS, 9 Arun Prospect, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1AL 

* An obituary has been or will be published in 

the BSBI Yearbook 

Since BSBI News 118, we regret to report that 

the news of the deaths of the following 

members has reached us The list includes two 

of our longest standing members, two vicecounty 

Recorders and one BSBI Referee. 

Prof J K Morton of the University of Waterloo, 

Canada, joined the Society in 1948 before 

moving overseas but kept up his membership 

until the end.

Obituary Notes – Obituaries in BSBI Yearbook 71 

*Miss M J P Scannell of Ballsbridge, Ireland, 

a member since 1964 and Recorder for Cork, 

v.cc. H3, 4 & 5, since 1962 and an Honorary 

member of the Society since 1995. 

Maura was a very influential person in Irish 

botanical life for many decades, and co-author 

of important works such as the two Census 

catalogues: The Flora of Ireland, and with 

Prof. David Webb, The Flora of Connemara 

and the Burren. 

Maura was also instrumental in the founding 

of the Irish section of the BSBI in the 1960s, 

and she was also influential in building 

Glasnevin’s reputation as a centre of 

taxonomic knowledge. An example of this 

cited by her colleagues was her “dogged determination” 

to identify the Renvyle Hydrilla, 

flowering the plant at Glasnevin to prove that 

it was Hydrilla verticillata. Maura worked at 

Glasnevin for many years and received the 

National Botanic Gardens Medal. At the 

presentation Maura emphasised that botanists 

should record their findings with scientific 

rigour. 

An obituary will be published in BSBI 

Yearbook 2013; meanwhile one is available, 

with photograph, on the National Botanic 

Gardens website, linked through the 

Homepage. Among others, one was published 

in 2011 in The Irish Times under the headline 

“Leading Botanist known for dedication and 

attention to detail”. 

*Mrs M Wainwright of Oswestry, Shropshire, 

a member since 1985, Recorder for v.c. 

47 (Montgomeryshire) from 1985 to 2008 and 

Marjorie was joint author of Flora of 

Montgomeryshire (1995). 

Obituaries in BSBI Yearbook 

*Mr P Taylor of RGB, Kew, Richmond 

Surrey, a member since 1946 and Referee for 

Utricularia. Peter was also a skilled cabinet 

maker and as noted in the Obituary in BSBI 

Yearbook 2012, he specialised in making 

harpsichords and clavichords. Peter told me 

that the wood of Populus nigra was particularly 

good for harpsichords and during the 

BSBI Black Poplar Survey we were asked to 

direct his way any fallen true Black Poplar 

trees or branches. 

Soon after Peter retired to West Sussex he 

bought some local woodland to safeguard it 

for future conservation. It was similar to the 

Carpinus betulus woodland around White 

Cottage when the BSBI “Office” was there. 

Cardamine impatiens was found in both 

woods where the Hornbeam had been 

coppiced, growing with Ophioglossum 

vulgatum and Platanthera chlorantha, 

together with a wealth of spring flora and 

spring warbler birds. 

We also report with regret the deaths of the 

following members: 

Mr T R Harwood of Morecambe, Lancs, a 

member since 1991. 

Mrs J M Humphris of Watton, Norfolk, a 


Mrs P J Kington of Biddulph, Staffs, a 


Dr P Lumley of Graveley, Herts., a member 

since 2003. 

We send regrets and sympathies to all the 

families. 

MARY BRIGGS, 9 Arun Prospect, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1AL 

Many members have contacted me expressing 

dissatisfaction or unhappiness that Obituaries 

are now published in the Yearbook and only 

once annually. 

If you feel strongly about this too I would be 

grateful if you would please let us know, 

preferably by contacting the Editors.

72 

Recorders & Recording – Panel of Referees and Specialists / Panel of Vice-county Recorders 

/ Recording Strategy 

RECORDERS AND RECORDING 

Panel of Referees and Specialists 

MARY CLARE SHEAHAN, 61 Westmoreland Road, Barnes, London, SW13 9RZ; 

(m.sheahan@kew.org) 

We are glad to welcome Mark Watson as 

general referee for Apiaceae, and Fred 

Rumsey is joining Alison Paul as general 

referee for ferns. 

Alison Lean is retiring as Referee for Rhinanthus, 

and we would like to thank her very 

much for the help she has given members over 

the past 15 years. 

Panel of Vice-county Recorders 

Please note that the list of taxa in the BSBI 

Yearbook 2012 has been re-ordered in accordance 

with the third edition of Stace, so you 

may find some families in unexpected 

positions (as well as some unfamiliar names). 

There have also been a few changes in the 

address list. 

DAVID PEARMAN, ‘Algiers’, Feock, Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6RA; (dpearman4@aol.com) 

New recorders and changes: 

All these appointments are reflected in the 

2012 Yearbook, but are reproduced here for 

convenience. Please refer to the Yearbook for 

addresses and emails (where applicable): 

V.c.5 S. Somerset. Paul Green, recorder since 

1993, retires. 

V.c.13 W. Sussex. Mary Briggs, recorder 

since 1975, retires. 

V.c.48 Merioneth. Sarah Stille to be joint 

Recorder. Dr R. Gritten remains the contact. 

V.c.78 Peebless. Luke Gaskell and Kathy 

Velander. Mr D.J. McCosh, recorder since 

1961, retires. 

V.c.86 Stirlings. Philip Sansum to be joint 

Recorder. Mrs E. Stewart remains the contact. 

V.c.96 Easterness. Adam Fraser to be joint 

Recorder. Miss S. Smyth remains the contact. 

Recording Strategy 

V.c.99 Dumbarton. Pamela Murdoch to be 

joint Recorder. Dr J. Holland remains the 

contact. 

V.c.H2 N. Kerry. Drs P.S & M.B. Wyse-Jackson, 

recorders since 1982, retire. 

V.c.H3, H4, H5 Cork. Miss Maura Scannell, 

recorder since 1967, has died. 

V.c.H12 Co Wexford: Ro FitzGerald, recorder 

since 1989, retires. 

As ever, I would like to thank those retiring for 

their sterling efforts over so many years. This 

simple thanks seems so inadequate after often 

30 or more years of help, and we could not do 

what we do without that entirely voluntary 

help. 

Changes of address: 

V.c.40 Salop. Dr S.J. Whild, to 9 Albert 

Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 2HT. 

NICK MILLER, Tiger Hill Cottage, Bures, Suffolk, CO8 5BW 

The BSBI now has a most welcome recording 

strategy, and I would like to make a heartfelt 

plea for its effective promotion! 

I am sure, like me, the initial reaction of 

many grassroots recorders may be bewilderment 

– the ten-year date class has a nice 

decimal ring to it, but surely the accurate 

recording of a county’s flora takes twenty-odd 

years – so the records gathered in ten years 

will be counter-productive for any comparability 

or any picture of distribution? 

Not so, if, as per the Strategy, each county 

uses manifest ‘targets’ i.e., a list of axiophytes, 

and a policy for the commonest species of

Recorders & Recording – Recording Strategy / Notes from the Officers – From the Hon. 

General Secretary / From the Acting Scottish Officer 

collecting only hectad records. Targets are 

lacking for many counties, but would be 

relatively easy to a) produce, b) circulate to 

grassroots recorders for comment, c) promulgate. 

Good alternatives to an axiophyte list 

are: plants which on county dot maps show a 

clearly localised distribution (about 150 

species in my county, plus obvious rarities); 

with coverage of one or more target sites in 

each hectad (and/or in each ‘landscape unit’). 

All additional records will be a bonus, so 

NOTES FROM THE OFFICERS 

From the Hon General Secretary – LYNNE FARRELL 

41 High Street, Hemingford Grey, Cambs., PE28 9BJ 

(01480 462728) (lynneonmull@btinternet.com) 

Members of long-standing 

We would like to offer our congratulations to 

the following people who have now been 

members for 60 years: Mrs P.A. Evans, Dr 

P.A. Gay, Prof C.H. Gimingham, Dr D.J. 

Hambler, Mr P.H. Oswald, Mr P.D. Sell, Mr 

B.A. Whitton, Mr R.D. Wise. 

Annual Exhibition Meeting at the Natural 

History Museum, London, 29 Nov. 2011 

This was a new venue in London and I 

received many complimentary remarks, both 

about the venue and the event itself, which 

included a programme of short talks. 157 

members and 27 guests attended. 

New e-mail address 

Please note that I have a new e-mail address, 

owing to my PC having been hacked into 

recently. I am not in a Spanish jail! 

Many congratulations to 2 BSBI members 

who have been awarded an MBE in the New 

Year Honour’s List: 

Mr Trevor George Evans (recorder for 

v.c.35) – for services to conservation and to 

wildlife in Monmouthshire 

Mrs Dorothy Hardy – national park voluntary 

ranger, for services to conservation. 

And Mrs Susan Pippa Bonner (wife of our 

President) – for voluntary service to the 

North Wales Wildlife Trust 

From the acting Scottish Officer – ANGUS HANNAH 

Jim McIntosh 

Jim is finding life tough out in the South 

Atlantic. “SAS training must be easier!..” to 

quote his latest blog. You can follow his 

adventures on http://furtherthanthefurthest. 

blogspot.com 

Scottish Officer Funding 

We are pleased to report that SNH have 

approved funding for the post for the forthcoming 

year, and in principle for two further 

Glenmore, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, PA20 0QU; 

(Tel.: 01700 503879; butesedge@yahoo.co.uk) 

73 

following the strategy will not exclude volunteers 

recording favourite haunts/species. 

It is necessary to explain that this will 

achieve the benefits that county floras do – 

after all, most counties now have, or by 2020 

will have, a completeness of coverage at tetrad 

level that may not need repeating for half a 

century. In urging the adoption of a policy in 

all counties, I am aware that local arrangements 

will have to reflect the county’s terrain 

and the likely size of its volunteer pool. 

years, though the full amount cannot be 

guaranteed beyond the first year. 

Kindrogan Weekend for Scottish VCRs (or 

prospective VCRs) 

I am organising a weekend workshop at 

Kindrogan on 2 nd – 4 th March 2012 to support 

Scottish VCRs through the various challenges 

they face. There will be sessions on rare plant 

registers (led by Chris Metherell); the Distribution 

Database and relations with local

74 

Notes from the Officers – From the Acting Scottish Officer / 2011 Scottish Annual Meeting 

records centres (Tom Humphrey); data cleaning 

and the NBN data validation tool (Graham 

French); public access to data (Kevin Walker); 

and recording critical groups (Richard 

Pankhurst). We will also have general discussions 

of the BSBI recording strategy, and the 

recording of status and habitat. A very few 

places remain, so if you have not yet expressed 

your interest, please contact me quickly. 

MapMate support 

Two contractors have been employed to make 

MapMate easier for everyone to use. Martin 

Harvey has already made a set of excellent 

videos, which demonstrate the procedures for 

using the programme in a range of simple tasks, 

and has agreed to make a few more to fill the 

gaps and tackle more complex subjects. You 

can see the original set on the BSBI Website 

through the MapMate support link. Martin 

Rand has undertaken to revise the MapMate 

handbook thoroughly, and the result of his 

work should be available next spring, initially 

in PDF form for download. Although focusing 

on vascular plants, both these projects will 

potentially benefit all MapMate users. 

Field Meetings 

A full and varied programme of field meetings 

has been organised for 2012, and details are in 

the Yearbook. Four of the meetings are 

specifically intended to be educational, with 

an emphasis on how to identify an unknown 

plant. An Alchemilla workshop in Ullapool 

(which had to be postponed last year) is 

designed to help recorders identify alpine 

species, especially A. wichurae, for the 

Threatened Plant Project. 

2011 Scottish Annual Meeting 

This year’s Scottish Recording Week will be 

based in a luxury lodge in Kirkcudbrightshire. 

Please apply early, as places are strictly 

limited (English, Irish and Welsh members are 

also welcome!). 

Vice-county Recorders 

Several new joint recorders have recently been 

appointed, including Luke Gaskell and Kathy 

Velander in v.c.78 (Peebles), Pamela Murdoch 

in v.c.99 (Dunbarton), Philip Sansum in v.c.86 

(Stirling) and Adam Fraser in v.c.96 (Easterness). 

Barbara Hogarth has intimated her wish 

to retire from the recordership of v.c.90 

(Angus), but has kindly agreed to remain in 

post until a successor can be found. Please see 

the notice below. 

Recorder vacancy - v.c.90:Angus 

A vice-county recorder vacancy has arisen in 

the above vice-county. We are looking particularly 

for a keen field recorder, since we 

already have an offer of help with the data 

entry/computer side of the work. Angus is a 

medium sized county of relatively compact 

shape but very varied terrain, extending from 

the city of Dundee along the coast, with dunes, 

flats and coastal cliffs to beyond Montrose, 

and including the Sidlaw hills, much of Strathmore, 

and the glens of Esk, Clova, Prosen and 

Isla, with the famous alpine flora of Caenlochan. 

A reasonable level of physical fitness is 

therefore required. Residence in the county, 

though preferable, is not essential, but it would 

be necessary to commit to spending several 

weeks there each season. 

Expressions of interest should be sent to me at 

the address above, or e-mail butesedge@ 

yahoo.co.uk before 29th February. 

RUTH MCGUIRE, Volunteer Publicity Officer, BSBI Scotland, (bsbiscotland@gmail.com) 

The 2011 Scottish Annual Meeting, held on 

Saturday 5 th November at the Botanic Garden 

in Edinburgh, was a great success, with an 

excellent attendance. A new element was 

added this year in the form of a photographic 

competition. There was excellent quality in 

the entries demonstrating that wild flowers 

make a great subject for the photographer. 

The photographs were displayed throughout 

the day and delegates had the opportunity to 

view them and also vote for their favourites. 

There were three categories: Arable weeds, 

The sex life of plants and Flowers of Scotland, 

the winners being announced towards the end 

of the meeting. It was a fun element, and the 

competition received favourable feedback on

Notes from the Officers – 2011 Scottish Annual Meeting / Diary / Solution to Crossword 17 / 

Deadline for BSBI News 120 

the day. The winning entries (see front and 

back covers) were: 

Arable weeds: Martin Robinson, with Galeopsis 

speciosa (Large-flowered Hemp-nettle). 

Sex life of plants: Claudia Ferguson-Smyth, 

with Cinnamon-fruited Dandelion. 

Flowers of Scotland: Martin Robinson, tied 

with Claudia Ferguson-Smyth, with Linnaea 

2. PATHOLOGY; 3. RAMPING; 4. CONES; 5. 

LEAFING; 6. NOBLE; 7. SIS; 12. EDIBILITY; 14. 

DENTATE 15. TRIF. DUB; 17. CLOCK; 18. 

HUMID; 21. AKA 

Down 

Down 

2. anagram HOG PLAY TO; 3. RING; 4. double 

definition; 5. LEA/FING; 6. NOBLEmish; 

7. SISymbrium; 12. anagram DEBILITY +1; 14. 

DATE; 15.T(racto)R/IF 15.T(racto)R/IF reverse reverse BUD; 17. 

C(otton).LOCK; 18. HUM/ID; 21. cleavers aka goosegrass 

DIARY 

Solution to Crossword 17 

Crib 

borealis (Twinflower) and Sparganium 

erectum (Branched Bur-reed) respectively. 

It is intended that the competition will run 

again in 2012, and we expect more entries. 

Next year’s categories will be announced early 

in 2012, and details will be available on the 

Scottish pages of the website. 

N.B. These dates may be supplementary to those in the 2012 Calendar in BSBI Yearbook 2012 

25 Jan Records Committee, London 

1 Feb Meetings Committee, NHM, London 

8 Feb Training & Education Committee, 

Shrewsbury 

10 Feb Welsh Committee, Aberystwyth 

15 Feb Publications Committee, London 

22 Feb Database Sub-committee, Leicester 

29 Feb Executive, Linnean Society, London 

10 Mar Scottish Committee 

21 Mar Council, Linnean Society, London 

13-15 Apr Recorders’ Conference, Shrewsbury 

5 May Scottish Committee 

12-13 May AGM, Reading 

20-22 June Welsh AGM, Llangollen 

1. SPUR; 4. COLONIST; 8. STAMEN; 

9. AMBUSH; 10. SORI; 11. SPIKELET; 13. 

ROUGH DOG’S TAIL; 16. HYACINTH; 19. IRIS; 20. 

SAPOTA; 22. MIDRIB 23. HAWKWEED 24. 

BAYS 

Across 

Across 

1. double definition; 4. COLON/IS/T(ract); 8. stay men; men; 

9. AM/BUSH; 10. SI; 11. SPIKE/LET; 13. ruff ruff 

(‘hearing bark’) causing dog’s tail to wave; 16. anagram anagram 

ANY HITCH; 19. In Reeds In Swamps; 20. anagram 

SOAP AT; 22. reverse BIRDIM; 

23. Charade; 24. double definition 

CONTRIBUTIONS INTENDED FOR BSBI NEWS 120 

should reach the Receiving Editor before March 1st 

The General Editor Gwynn Ellis can be contacted by answerphone or fax on 02920 496042 

email: rgellis@ntlworld.com 

The Receiving Editor Trevor James can be contacted by phone on 01462 742684 or email trevorjjames@btinternet.com 

All text and illustrations appearing in BSBI News and its Supplements are copyright and no reproduction in any form may be 

made without written permission from the General Editor 

Offers and special terms apply only to members of the Society and copies are not available on an exchange basis. 

BSBI News (ISSN 0309-930X) is published by the Botanical Society of the British Isles 

Enquiries concerning the Society’s activities and membership should be addressed to: The Hon. General Secretary, c/o Dept. of 

Botany, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD Tel: 0207 942 5002. 

Camera ready copy produced by Gwynn Ellis and printed by J. & P. Davison, 3 James Place, Treforest, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan 

CF37 1SQ (Tel. 01443-400585; email: davison.litho@talktalkbusiness.net) 

75

ADMINISTRATION and IMPORTANT ADDRESSES 

PRESIDENT Mr Ian Bonner 

Cae Trefor, Tyn y Gongl, Anglesey, LL74 8SD 

Tel.: 01248 852 651; BSBI@caetrefor.co.uk 

HON. GENERAL SECRETARY (General Enquiries) Miss Lynne Farrell 

41 High St, Hemingford Grey, Cambs, PE28 9BJ 

Tel.: 01480 462 728; lynneonmull@btinternet.com 

HON. TREASURER Mr Antony Timmins 

154A Warley Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 5HF 

Tel.: 01277 202 545; antony.timmins@hotmail.co.uk 

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY (Payment of Subs and changes of address) & Mr Gwynn Ellis 

BSBI NEWS GENERAL EDITOR 41 Marlborough Road, Roath, Cardiff, CF23 5BU 

(Please quote membership number on all correspondence; see address label on post, or Members List 2011 

Answerphone: 02920 496 042; rgellis@ntlworld.com 

HON. FIELD SECRETARY (Including enquiries about Field Meetings) Dr Jill Sutcliffe 

Ingrams Farm, Fittleworth Road, Wisborough Green, Nr Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 0JA 

Tel.: 01403 700 395; Jillsutcliffe1@gmail.com 

HON. ASSISTANT SECRETARY (General enquiries) c/o Roy Vickery 

c/o Dept. of Botany, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD 

Tel.: 02086 756 740 

PANEL OF VICE-COUNTY RECORDERS Mr David Pearman 

(Comments and/or changes of address) Algiers, Feock, Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6RA 

Tel.: 01872 863 388; DPearman4@aol.com 

PANEL OF REFEREES & SPECIALISTS Dr Mary Clare Sheahan 

(Comments and/or changes of address) 61 Westmoreland Road, Barnes, London, SW13 9RZ 

Tel.: 020 8748 4365; m.sheahan@kew.org 

NEW JOURNAL OF BOTANY RECEIVING EDITOR Dr Richard Gornall 

Biology Dept., University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH 

Tel. 0116-252-3394; rjg@leicester.ac.uk 

NEW JOURNAL OF BOTANY BOOK REVIEWS EDITOR Dr John Edmondson 

243 Pensby Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH61 5UA 

Tel: 01513 428 287; bsbireviews@mac.com 

BSBI NEWS RECEIVING EDITOR Mr Trevor James 

56 Back Street, Ashwell, Baldock, Herts., SG7 5PE 

Tel.: 01462 742 684; trevorjjames@btinternet.com 

BSBI HEAD OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT Dr Kevin Walker 

97 Dragon Parade, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5DG 

Tel 07807 526856; kevinwalker@bsbi.org.uk 

BSBI PROJECT OFFICER Mr Bob Ellis 

11 Havelock Road, Norwich, NR2 3HQ 

Tel.: 01603 662 260; bob@elymus.demon.co.uk 

BSBI COORDINATOR & RESEARCH FUND APPLICATIONS Mr Alex Lockton 

66 North Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2JL 

Tel. & Fax: 01743 343 789; coordinator@bsbi.org.uk 

BSBI SCOTTISH OFFICER (Acting) Mr Angus Hannah 

Glenmore, North Bute, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, PA20 0QU 

Tel.: 01700 503 879; butesedge@yahoo.co.uk 

BSBI WELSH OFFICER Dr Polly Spencer-Vellacott 

BSBI c/o CCW, Glan y Nant, Unit 19, Mold Business, Park, Wrexham Road, Mold, CH7 1XP 

Tel.: 01352 706 633; 07967 820 305; welshofficer@bsbi.org.uk 

BSBI DATABASE OFFICER Mr Tom Humphrey 

3 Upper West Grove, Manchester, M13 0BB 

tom@herbariumathome.org 

BSBI ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Dr Clive Lovatt 

(All financial matters except Membership) 67 Park Street, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, CF45 3YW 

Tel.: 07851 433 920; accounts@bsbi.org.uk 

BSBI PUBLICATIONS Mr Paul O'Hara 

Summerfield Books 2007 Ltd, 3 Phoenix Park, Skelton, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 9SD 

Tel.: 01768 484 910; Fax: 01768 484 909; info@summerfieldbooks.com 

BSBI WEB SITE ADDRESS http://www.bsbi.org.uk 

Registered Charity Number in England & Wales: 212560 and in Scotland: SC038675

BSBI Archive - Botanical Society of the British Isles

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