Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland

Naturetrek Tour Report 3 - 6 August 2012

Saxifraga nivalis Epilobium alsinifolium

2012 Naturetrek Group admiring Carex Microglochin Carex microglochin

Report and images compiled by Paul Harmes

Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland

Tour Leaders: Paul Harmes Naturetrek Leader & Botanist

Participants: Jenny Bell Linda Eggins Pat Joyce Jim Joyce Geoff Joyce

Day 1 Friday 3rd August

Weather: Bright with high cloud The group assembled at the Killin Hotel during the course of the afternoon. Pat and Jim, and Linda had made their own way, and Jenny and Geoff met with Paul at Perth railway station at 17-00hrs. Boarding the minibus, we made our way west through Methven, Crieff, Comrie, St. Fillans and along the northern shore of Loch Earn, to Lochearnhead. Along the way we saw Common Buzzard and Barn Swallow. At Lochearnhead we turned north, and drove five miles up Glen Ogle, before turning east to Killin. It was not too long before the imposing peak of Ben Lawers (1214m) was glimpsed through the trees. As we entered the village of Killin, we passed over the picturesque Falls of Dochart, before arriving at the hotel at 18-30hrs. After checking into our rooms, we met in the lounge before going to dinner. After the meal Paul outlined the proposed itinerary (and potential weather-defined alternatives), before we retired for the night.

Day 2 Saturday 4th August

Weather: A sunny morning becoming cloudy with light rain in the afternoon After breakfast, we boarded the minibus for the short drive to the Ben Lawers car park, overlooking Loch Tay, where we set off up the path towards the three Munro (Scottish Mountains over 3,000ft) peaks of Beinn Ghlas (1103m or 3619ft), Ben Lawers (1214m or 3983ft) and Meall Garbh (1118m or 3667ft).

The first three-quarters of a mile took us through the Ben Lawers Nature Reserve, a fenced area located along the Burn of Edramucky. As we approached the gate of the reserve, Redpoll flew over. In the reserve we found Lycopodium clavatum (Stag’s-horn Clubmoss), Salix aurita (Eared Willow), Narthecium ossifragum (Bog Asphodel) and Oreopteris limbosperma (Lemon-scented Fern), and Paul demonstrated the Scottish form of Betula pubescens, namely subsp. tortuosa (Downy Birch). As we progressed, we recorded Meadow Pipit.

The ascent was on the shepherd’s path, which affords a relatively gentle ascent, and has a number of interesting species along the way: Saxifraga stellaris (Starry Saxifrage), Parnassia palustris (Grass of Parnassus) and Tofieldia pusilla (Scottish Asphodel) among them. A little further on, among rocks, we added Polystichum lonchitis (Holly Fern), Botrychium lunaria (Moonwort) and Saussurea alpina (Alpine Saw-wort), together with Silene acaulis (Moss Campion) and Salix herbacea (Dwarf Willow).

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Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland Tour Report

We now began to circle around the Coire Liath to the north of the ridge from Beinn Ghlas to Ben Lawers, and make our way steadily up to the ridge path. Here we spotted Gnaphalium supinum (Dwarf Cudweed), before making our way along the ‘Hanging Gardens’, where we stopped to have lunch. This area of the mountain is where the Dalradian calcareous schist begins to push through the acid rocks. It is these ‘schists’, together with late lying snow, that are responsible for the occurrence of many of the special plants for which this mountain is renowned.

After eating, it was time to explore, and it was not too long before Jim found a small tuft of Gentiana nivalis (Snow Gentian). On the ledges we recorded Draba incana (Hoary Whitlow-grass), Saxifraga hypnoides (Mossy Saxifrage), Viola lutea (Mountain Pansy), Myosotis alpestris (Alpine Forget-me-not) and Sagina saginoides (Alpine Pearlwort). Linda also found more of the Gentian.

We now set out to climb up to the summit, the steepest part of the route. As we approached the summit, a small flock of Rock Ptarmigan were disturbed. Have regained our breath, we walked the short distance from the trig point, to an area of rocky outcrops, where we found Saxifraga cernua (Drooping Saxifrage), Cochlearia pyrenaica subsp. alpina (Alpine Scurvy-grass), Draba norvegica (Rock Whitlow-grass) and Saxifraga nivalis (Arctic Saxifrage). A pair of Northern Ravens were seen circling, as we made our way back down to the car park, and Geoff found a single plant of Meum athamanticum (Spignel). It was now time to make our way back to the hotel for dinner.

Day 3 Sunday 5th August

Weather: Cloudy and dry Today’s itinerary had to be altered on last year’s tour, due to inclement weather conditions, but this year, the weather was with us, and we left hotel and made our way to the Lawers Hotel, about ten miles east of Killin, where we parked. We had to make a short hop to the beginning of the Lawers Burn footpath, along the road. The verges and adjacent fields and ditches produced Valeriana officinalis (Common Valerian), Stachys palustris (Marsh Woundwort), Geranium pratense (Meadow Crane’s-bill) and Athyrium filix- femina (Lady Fern). We now turned up through the farm and on through some scrubby woodland, passing Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly Orchid), surprisingly still flowering, and a delightful flush with Carex echinata (Star Sedge), Saxifraga aizoides (Yellow Mountain Saxifrage), Carex nigra (Common Sedge) and Epilobium palustre (Marsh Willowherb).

We emerged from the woodland onto open upland rough grassland, and began to follow the track northwards to the river bridge and eventually, the dam below Lochan nan Cat, where we had lunch. Along the way we saw family parties of Meadow Pipits, Epilobium alsinifolium (Chickweed Willowherb), Knautia arvensis (Field Scabious), Epilobium brunnescens (New Zealand Willowherb), Isolepis setacea (Bristle Club-rush) and Eleocharis quinqueflora (Few-flowered Spike-rush).

With our picnic completed, we left the marked path and made our way up towards the eastern slope of Meall Garbh, where we set out to find some of the UK’s rarer mountain species, and we were not disappointed. The going here is steep, but the regular appearance of flushes as we climbed gave us plenty of opportunities to catch our breath.

Tour Report Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland

It was not too long before we found Carex microglochin (Bristle Sedge), in good numbers and, a little further on, Carex saxatilis (Russet Sedge) and Juncus triglumis (Three-flowered Rush). It was now time to retrace our steps back down the mountain. Our descent was considerably quicker that our ascent, and we got back to the vehicle in good time, so we took some well-earned refreshments in the Lawers Hotel, before returning to Killin for dinner.

Day 4 Monday 6th August

Weather: Cloudy and dry After another superb breakfast, we boarded the minibus and made our way up past the Ben Lawers car park, and parked at the dam at the southern end of Lochan na Lairige, on the road to Bridge of Balgie and Glen Lyon. We now crossed the dam over to the southern end of the Tarmachan cliffs; as we reached the grassland and rocky outcrops on the other side, we found Cirsium palustre (Marsh Thistle), Carex hostiana (Tawny Sedge), Polypodium cambricum (Southern Polypody) Dryopteris dilitata (Broad Buckler- fern) and the diminutive Woodsia alpina (Alpine Woodsia). Making our way back over the dam, we set out to explore the road verge. Among the large quantities of Saxifraga aizoides (Yellow Saxifrage), Thymus polytrichus (Wild Thyme) and Rhinanthus minor subsp. borealis (Yellow rattle), we found a solitary flower of Silene alpina (Alpine Campion).

We now continued on to The Bridge of Balgie, Glen Lyon. As we went Paul pointed out several specimens of Pinus sylvatica subsp. scotica (Scots Pine). We stopped at the Glen Lyon tea rooms for late morning refreshments, and here we also bid farewell to Jenny, who had to leave to make her train connection at Perth. Whilst enjoying our lunch, Pat drew our attention to a Spotted Flycatcher, seeking out insects from his vantage point in a nearby tree.

On the return journey to Killin, we saw a large stand of Myrica gale (Bog Myrtle), and a solitary Common Buzzard was seen sitting on a rock. Upon our arrival back at the Killin Hotel, we all bid farewell to each other and began our various journeys home.

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Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants Group/Species English Name (if any) Location

PTERIDOPSIDA FERNS & ALLIES

Lycopodiaceae Clubmoss Family Diphasiastrum alpinum Alpine Clubmoss Ben Lawers Huperzia selago Fir Clubmoss Ben Lawers Lycodium clavatum Stag's-horn Clubmoss Ben Lawers

Selaginellaceae Lesser Clubmoss Family Selaginella selaginoides Lesser Clubmoss Ben Lawers

Equisetaceae Horsetail Family Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Near Lawers Hotel Equisetum palustre Marsh Horsetail Ben Lawers Equisetum sylvaticum Wood Horsetail Ben Lawers

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium ruta-muraria Wall Rue Near Lawers Hotel Asplenium trichomanes Maidenhair Spleenwort Lawers Burn Asplenium viride Green Spleenwort Ben Lawers

Blechnaceae Hard-fern Family Blechnum spicant Hard-fern Ben Lawers

Dennstaeditiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Near Lawers Hotel

Dryopteridaceae Buckler-fern Family Dryopteris affinis agg. Golden-scaled Male-fern Tarmachan Cliffs Dryopteris dilatata Broad Buckler-fern Ben Lawers Dryopteris filix-mas Male-fern Near Lawers Hotel Polystichum lonchitis Holly-fern Ben Lawers

Ophioglossacae Adder's-tongue Fern Family Botrychium lunaria Moonwort Ben Lawers

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium cambricum Southern Polypody Tarmachan Cliffs

Thelypteridaceae Marsh Fern Family Oreopteris limbosperma Lemon-scented Fern Ben Lawers

Woodsiaceae Lady-fern Family Athyrium filix-femina Lady-fern Near Lawers Hotel Cystopteris fragilis Brittle Bladder-fern Ben Lawers Woodsia alpina Alpine Woodsia Tarmachan Cliffs

Tour Report Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland

Group/Species English Name (if any) Location

PINOPSIDA CONIFERS

Pinaceae Pine Family Larix decidua European Larch Near Lawers Hotel Picea abies Norway Spruce Lawers Burn Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce Lawers Burn Pinus sylvestris subsp. scotica Scots Pine Bridge of Balgie, Glen Lyon

MAGNOLIOPSIDA DICOTYLEDONS

Apiaceae Carrot Family Aegopodium podagraria Ground Elder Near Lawers Hotel Angelica sylvestris Wild Angelica Ben Lawers Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Lawers Burn Meum athamanticum Spignel Ben Lawers Myrrhis odorata Sweet Cicely Ben Lawers Torilis japonica Upright Hedge Parsley Lawers Burn

Asteraceae Daisy Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Ben Lawers Achillea ptarmica Sneezewort Ben Lawers Bellis perennis Daisy Ben Lawers Centaurea nigra Black Knapweed Near Lawers Hotel Cirsium arvense Creeping Thistle Lawers Burn Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle Ben Lawers Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Near Lawers Hotel Crepis capillaris Smooth Hawk's-beard Near Lawers Hotel Crepis paludosa Marsh Hawk's-beard Ben Lawers Gnaphalium supinum Dwarf Cudweed Ben Lawers Hieracium subaudum a Hawkweed Tarmachan Cliffs Hypochaeris radicata Cat's-ear Lawers Burn Lapsana communis Nipplewort Lawers Burn Leucanthemum vulgare Oxeye daisy Lawers Burn Matricaria discoidea Pineapple Weed Near Lawers Hotel Mycelis muralis Wall Lettuce Lawers Burn Pilosella officinarum Mouse-eared Hawkweed Ben Lawers Saussurea alpina Alpine Saw-wort Ben Lawers Scorzoneroides autumnalis Autumn Hawkbit Ben Lawers Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Ben Lawers Solidago virgaurea Goldenrod Ben Lawers Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle Lawers Burn Taraxacum agg. Dandelion Ben Lawers

Betulaceae Birch Family Alnus glutinosa Alder Ben Lawers Betula pendula Silver Birch Lawers Burn Betula pubescens subsp. tortuosa Downy Birch Ben Lawers Corylus avellana Hazel Ben Lawers

Boraginaceae Borage Family Myosotis alpestris Alpine Forget-me-not Ben Lawers Myosotis laxa Tufted Forget-me-not Lawers Burn

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Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland Tour Report

Group/Species English Name (if any) Location

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Arabidopsis thaliana Thale-cress Killin Hotel Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse Lawers Burn Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bitter-cress Ben Lawers Cochlearia pyrenaica subsp. alpina Pyrenean Scurvygrass Ben Lawers Draba incana Hoary Whitlowgrass Ben Lawers Draba norvegica Rock Whitlowgrass Ben Lawers Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard Near Lawers Hotel

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula rotundifolia Harebell Ben Lawers

Caprifoliacae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle Lawers Burn Sambucus nigra Elderberry Roadsides

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Arenaria serpyllifolia subsp. serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Sandwort Ben Lawers Cerastium alpinum Alpine Mouse-ear Ben Lawers Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Ben Lawers Minuartia sedoides Cyphel Ben Lawers Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Ben Lawers Sagina saginoides Alpine Pearlwort Ben Lawers Silene acaulis Moss Campion Ben Lawers Silene alpestris Alpine Campion Roadside opposite Tarmachan Cliffs Silene dioica Red Campion Roadsides Stellaria alsine Bog Stitchwort Ben Lawers Stellaria media Common Chickweed Near Lawers Hotel

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum rosea Roseroot Ben Lawers

Dipsacaceae Teasel Family Knautia arvensis Field Scabious Lawers Burn Succisa pratensis Devil's-bit Scabious Ben Lawers

Droseraceae Sundew Family Drosera rotundifolia Common Sundew Ben Lawers

Ericaceae Heather Family Calluna vulgaris Heather or Ling Ben Lawers Empetrum nigrum subsp. nigrum Crowberry Ben Lawers Erica cinerea Bell Heather Ben Lawers Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath Ben Lawers Vaccinium myrtilus Bilberry Ben Lawers Vaccinium vitis-idaea Cowberry Ben Lawers

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury Lawers Burn

Fabaceae Pea Family Cytisus scoparius Broom Lawers Burn

Tour Report Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland

Group/Species English Name (if any) Location

Lathyrus pratensis Meadow Vetchling Near Lawers Hotel Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil Ben Lawers Lotus uliginosus Large Bird's-foot Trefoil Near Lawers Hotel Trifolium dubium Small Yellow Trefoil Near Lawers Hotel Trifolium pratense Red Clover Ben Lawers Trifolium repens White Clover Ben Lawers Vicia cracca Tufted Vetch Near Lawers Hotel Vicia sepium Bush Vetch Near Lawers Hotel

Fagaceae Beech Family Fagus sylvatica Beech Family Near Lawers Hotel Quercus robur Pendunculate Oak Bridge of Balgie, Glen Lyon

Gentainaceae Gentian Family Gentiana nivalis Snow Gentian Ben Lawers

Geraniaceae Crane’s-bill Family Geranium pratense Meadow Crane's-bill Near Lawers Hotel Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Near Lawers Hotel Geranium sylvaticum Wood Crane's-bill Tarmachan Cliffs

Hypericaceae St. John's-wort Family Hypericum pulchrum Elegant St.John's-wort Ben Lawers

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Ajuga reptans Bugle Tarmachan Cliffs Prunella vulgaris Self Heal Ben Lawers Stachys palustris Marsh Woundwort Near Lawers Hotel Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage Lawers Burn Thymus polytrichus Wild Thyme Ben Lawers

Lentibulariaceae Bladderwort Family Pinguicula vulgaris Common Butterwort Ben Lawers

Linaceae Flax Family Linum catharticum Purging or Fairy Flax Ben Lawers

Menyanthaceae Bogbean Family Menyanthes trifoliata Bogbean Ben Lawers

Myricaceae Bog-myrtle Family Myrica gale Bog-myrtle S of Bridge of Balgie

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus excelsior Ash Near Lawers Hotel Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet Lawers Burn

Onagraceae Willowherb Family Chamerion angustifolium Rosebay Willowherb Roadsides Epilobium alsinifolium Chickweed Willowherb Lawers Burn Epilobium anagallidifolium Alpine Willowherb Ben Lawers Epilobium brunnescens New Zealand Willowherb Lawers Burn

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Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland Tour Report

Group/Species English Name (if any) Location

Epilobium ciliatum American Willowherb Lawers Burn Epilobium montanum Broad-leaved Willowherb Lawers Burn Epilobium obscurum Short-fruited Willowherb Lawers Burn Epilobium palustre Marsh Willowherb Ben Lawers

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Euphrasia arctica subsp. borealis Northern Eyebright Ben Lawers Euphrasia micrantha Heath Eyebright Ben Lawers Euphrasia nemorosa Eyebright Lawers Burn Euphrasia scotica Scottish Eyebright Ben Lawers Odontites vernus Red Bartsia Near Lawers Hotel Pedicularis palustris Marsh Lousewort Lawers Burn Pedicularis sylvatica Lousewort Ben Lawers Rhinanthus minor subsp. borealis Yellow-rattle Roadside opposite Tarmachan Cliffs

Oxalidaceae Wood Sorrel Family Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel Ben Lawers

Parnassiaceae Grass-of-Parnassus Family Parnassia palustris Grass-of-Parnassus Ben Lawers

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago lanecolata Ribwort Plantain Ben Lawers Plantago major Greater Plantain Ben Lawers

Polygalaceae Milkwort Family Polygala serpyllifolia Heath Milkwort Ben Lawers

Polygonaceae Knotweed Family Oxyria digyna Mountain Sorrel Ben Lawers Persicaria vivipara Alpine Bistort Ben Lawers Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel Ben Lawers Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel Ben Lawers Rumex crispus Curled Dock Near Lawers Hotel Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Near Lawers Hotel

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Anemone nemorum Wood Anemone Ben Lawers (leaves) Caltha palustris Marsh-marigold Lawers Burn (leaves) Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ben Lawers Ranunculus flammula Lesser Spearwort Ben Lawers Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Ben Lawers Thalictrum alpinum Alpine Meadow-rue Ben Lawers

Rosaceae Rose Family Alchemilla alpina Alpine Lady's-mantle Ben Lawers Alchemilla glabra Smooth Lady's-mantle Ben Lawers Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Near Lawers Hotel Filipendula ulmaria Meadowsweet Tarmachan Cliffs Geum x intermedium Hybrid Avens Tarmachan Cliffs Geum urbanum Wood Avens Lawers Burn Potentilla anserina Silverweed Near Lawers Hotel

Tour Report Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland

Group/Species English Name (if any) Location

Potentilla erecta Tormentil Ben Lawers Prunus avium Wild Cherry Lawers Burn Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Lawers Burn Rosa canina Dog Rose Lawers Burn Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Lawers Burn Rubus idaeus Raspberry Lawers Burn Sibbaldia procumbens Sibbaldia Ben Lawers (leaves) Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Lawers Burn

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Galium aparine Cleavers Ben Lawers Galium boreale Northern Bedstraw Ben Lawers Galium palustre Marsh Bedstraw Lawers Burn Galium saxatile Heath Bedstraw Ben Lawers Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw Near Lawers Hotel

Saliciaceae Willow Family Salix aurita Eared Willow Ben Lawers Salix caprea Goat Willow Near Lawers Hotel Salix cinerea Grey Willow Lawers Burn Salix x fruticosa (S.viminalis x aurita) a Hybrid Willow Falls of Dochart Salix herbacea Dwarf Willow Ben Lawers Salix myrsinites Whortle-leaved Willow Ben Lawers Salix reticulata Net-leaved Willow Ben Lawers

Sapindacae Maple Family Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Near Lawers Hotel

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage Ben Lawers Saxifraga aizoides Yellow Saxifrage Ben Lawers Saxifraga cernua Drooping Saxifrage Ben Lawers Saxifraga hypnoides Mossy Saxifrage Ben Lawers Saxifraga nivalis Arctic Saxifrage Ben Lawers Saxifraga oppositifolia Purple Saxifrage Ben Lawers Saxifraga stellaris Starry Saxifrage Ben Lawers

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Scrophularia nodosa Common Figwort Lawers Burn

Ulaceae Elm Family Ulmus glabra Wych Elm Near Lawers Hotel

Urticaceae Nettle Family Parietaria judacia Pellitory-of-the-Wall Killin Urtica dioica Common Nettle Near Lawers Hotel

Valerianaceae Valerian Family Valeriana officinalis Common Valerian Near Lawers Hotel

Veronicaceae Speedwell Family Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Near Lawers Hotel

Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland Tour Report

Group/Species English Name (if any) Location

Linaria repens Pale Toadflax Killin Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell Tarmachan Cliffs Veronica chamaedrys Germander Speedwell Lawers Burn Veronica officinalis Heath Speedwell Ben Lawers Veronica serpyllifolia subsp. serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Speedwell Ben Lawers

Violaceae Violet Family Viola lutea Mountain Pansy Ben Lawers Viola palustris Marsh Violet Lawers Burn (leaves)

LILIIDAE Monocotyledons

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Carex atrata Black Sedge Ben Lawers Carex bigelowii Stiff Sedge Ben Lawers Carex binervis Green-ribbed Sedge Ben Lawers Carex demissa Common Yellow Sedge Ben Lawers Carex dioica [female] Dioecious Sedge Ben Lawers Carex dioica [male] Dioecious Sedge Meall Garbh Carex echinata Star Sedge Ben Lawers Carex flacca Glaucous Sedge Lawers Burn Carex hostiana Tawny Sedge Tarmachan Cliffs Carex microglochin Bristle Sedge Meall Garbh Carex nigra Common Sedge Ben Lawers Carex lepidocarpoa Long-bracted Yellow Sedge Ben Lawers Carex leporina Oval Sedge Lawers Burn Carex panicea Carnation Sedge Ben Lawers Carex pilulifera Pill Sedge Meall Garbh Carex pulicaris Flea Sedge Ben Lawers Carex saxatilis Russet Sedge Meall Garbh Carex vaginata Sheathed Sedge Meall Garbh Eleocharis quinqueflora Few-flowered Spike-rush Lawers Burn Eriophorum angustifolium Common Cotton-grass Ben Lawers Eriophorum vaginatum Hare's-tail Cotton-grass Ben Lawers Isolepis setacea Bristle Club-rush Lawers Burn Trichophorum cespitosum Deer Grass Ben Lawers

Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered Rush Ben Lawers Juncus articulatus Jointed Rush Ben Lawers Juncus bufonius Toad Rush Ben Lawers Juncus bulbosus Bulbous Rush Ben Lawers Juncus conglomeratus Compact Rush Ben Lawers Juncus effusus Soft Rush Lawers Burn Juncus squarrosus Heath Rush Ben Lawers Juncus triglumis Three-flowered Rush Meall Garbh Luzula multiflora subsp. congesta Heath Wood-rush Ben Lawers Luzula multiflora subsp. multiflora Heath Wood-rush Ben Lawers Luzula spicata Spiked Wood-rush Ben Lawers Luzula sylvatica Great Wood-rush Ben Lawers

Tour Report Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland

Group/Species English Name (if any) Location

Juncaginaceae Arrowgrass Family Triglochin palustris Marsh Arrowgrass Ben Lawers

Nartheciaceae Bog Asphodel Family Narthecium ossifragum Bog Asphodel Ben Lawers

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Dactylorhiza fuchsii Common Spotted Orchid Ben Lawers Platanthera chlorantha Greater Butterfly Orchid Lawers Burn

Poaceae Grass Family Agrostis capillaris Common Bent Ben Lawers Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Ben Lawers Anthoxanthum odoratum Sweet Vernal Grass Ben Lawers Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Near Lawers Hotel Brachypodium sylvaticum False Brome Lawers Burn Briza media Quaking Grass Ben Lawers Cynosurus cristatus Crested Dog's-tail Ben Lawers Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Ben Lawers Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted Hair-grass Ben Lawers Deschampsia flexuosa Wavy Hair-grass Ben Lawers Elytrigia repens Common Couch Near Lawers Hotel Festuca ovina Sheep's Fescue Ben Lawers Festuca rubra agg. Red Fescue Lawers Burn Festuca vivipara Viviparous Fescue Ben Lawers Helictotrichon pratense Meadow Oat-grass Ben Lawers Holcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog Ben Lawers Holcus mollis Creeping Soft-grass Ben Lawers Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Killin Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Ben Lawers Molinia caerulea Purple Moor-grass Ben Lawers Nardus stricta Mat-grass Ben Lawers Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass Lawers Burn Phleum pratense Timothy Lawers Burn Poa alpina Alpine Meadow-grass Ben Lawers Poa alpina var. vivipara Viviparous Alpine Meadow-grass Ben Lawers Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Killin

Potamogetonaceae Pondweed Family Potamogeton polygonifolius Bog Pondweed Below Tarmachan Dam

Tofieldiaceae Scottish Asphodel Family Tofieldia pusilla Scottish Asphodel Ben Lawers

Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland Tour Report

Birds ( = recorded but not counted; LO = Leader only: H = Heard only) August Common name Scientific name 3 4 5 6 1 Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus muta  2 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos   3 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo H  4 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus     5 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto     6 Tawny Owl Strix aluco LO 7 Common Swift Apus apus    8 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula     9 Rook Corvus frugilegus    10 Hooded Crow Corvus cornix   11 Northern Raven Corvus corax   12 Coal Tit Periparus ater   13 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus H  14 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica   15 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum   16 Goldcrest Regulus regulus H 17 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes  18 Common Blackbird Turdus merula  19 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus  20 European Robin Erithacus rubecula   21 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra LO 22 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe   23 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata  24 White-throated Dipper Cinclus cinclus  25 House Sparrow Passer domesticus    26 Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii   27 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis    28 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs     29 European Greenfinch Carduelis chloris  30 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis H 31 Common Redpoll Carduelis flammea  32 Common Linnet Acanthus cannabina  33 Eurasian Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula 

Butterflies Pieridae 1 Small White Artogeia rapae  Nymphalidae 2 Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae  3 Dark Green Fritillary Argynnis aglaja  Satyrinae 4 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina    5 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus 

Moths (C = caterpillar) 1 Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii C 2 Garden Carpet Xanthorhoe fluctuata 

Tour Report Alpine Plants of Ben Lawers, Scotland

August Common name Scientific name 3 4 5 6

Reptiles & Amphibians 1 Common Frog Rana temporaria   2 Common Lizard Zootoca vivipara 

Mammals 1 Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus LO

Molluscs 1 Black Slug Arion sp.   

Gentiana nivalis