Newsletter Issue 37 Winter 2010-2011

WILTSHIRE BOTANICAL SOCIETY

In this issue Fungus Foray: Clanger, Picket and Green Lane Woods. 1 Westbury Hill...... 3 Transylvania 2010...... 3 Plant workshop: Stace and Poland...... 5 Grovely Wood...... 6 Namaqualand and Cape Province...... 6 , Coombe Bissett...... 7 : arboretum and great oaks...... 8 An appeal for help with plant recording...... 9 Botany Articles Free Online...... 10 Tim’s Crossword: Flora Miniature...... 10 Butcher’s Broom seeks partner...... 10 The Back Page...... 11

Website: http://www.wiltsbotsoc.co.uk Sunday 17 October 2010 Fungus Foray at Clanger and Picket Woods and Green Lane Wood Leader: Malcolm Storey

Members enjoyed looking for fungi in these two Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserves under the expert guidance of Malcolm Storey. Picket and Clanger Woods are particularly noted for butterflies, but about 550 species of fungi have recorded. It’s a mixed woodland, Examining the catch predominantly oak, but with other broad-leaved trees and stands of Norway spruce. their desiccated state. wood the fungus is living on. Nevertheless, 52 species were This species turns the wood Since many fungi are Shaggy associated with specific species recorded, 38 of them in Clanger green and the result was once of tree, this woodland Parasol and Picket Woods and 19 in used in marquetry, in which composition allows a rich (Macrolepiota Green Lane Wood. Below I different coloured woods were variety of species to grow. rhacodes) mention particular species used to make a design in a Green Lane Wood is was one of which illustrate the range of veneer. Puffballs have their types found. spores enclosed in a bag which predominantly oak. Our visit the more was preceded by a dry spell, develops pores through which easily An early find was Mucilago they escape when a raindrop which reduced the number of identified fungi seen and made others crustacea, which is not a fungus causes a puff of the spores to difficult to identify because of but a slime mould, a group come out. We saw the Stump which, for most of their lives, Puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme), are shapeless masses of jelly- which is pear-shaped, like protoplasm which flow over Lycoperdon perlatum, which is or through rotten wood or bark spherical and spiny when young or dead leaves and twigs, often and the Pestle Puffball at speeds beyond 10 cm per (Handkea excipuliformis), which day. They feed on bacteria and has a broad cylindrical structure fungi by slowly flowing round expanded into a sphere at the and engulfing them, just like the top. Candlesnuff (Xylaria Amoeba of school biology hypoxylon) is rather tongue- textbooks, with which they are shaped and sometimes now classified in a separate branched, black below with kingdom called the protozoa. white tips where the spores are Eventually, they form a fruit formed - hence the popular body, which contains the spores name. There was also two by which they reproduce. Fairy Clubs with upright branching cylinders, the A range of forms was brownish ochre Ramaria stricta, encountered among the real and the grey Clavulina cinerea. fungi we found. The vivid bluish Large black bumps on dead green Green Elfcup wood were King Alfred’s Cakes (Chlorociboria aeruginascens) (Daldinia concentrica). Thick has the reproductive bodies in black erect cylinders on wood the form of a cup or disk with were Dead Man’s Fingers the spores produced in pits on (Xylaria polymorpha). the upper side. Like most other fungi, the rest is a mass of In bracket fungi, the fruit body narrow threads called hyphae, projects from the surface like a Mucilago spongiosa - John Presland which spread through the dead bracket. In most species the spores come out of tiny circular Page 1 Wiltshire Botanical Society Winter 2010-2011 pyrogalus with a very bitter taste to its milk and gills some shade of orange, and L. vellereus, also with acrid milk, but very funnel-shaped and huge and the gills more cream. This last was perhaps nine inches across. Another ... brown and two illustrate the different clumped on colours of spores reflected in the gill colour which are so wood, ... with helpful in distinguishing different a ring on the groups of fungi - Pluteus stipe, is the cervinus with pink gills, Russula Honey Fungus ochroleuca with white and the (Armillaria edible Weeping Widow mellea), (Psathyrella lacrymabunda, also known as Lacrymaria velutina) John Presland phographing a Maze Gill which is death to a with black. The Butter Cap (Collybia butyracea) has a range of trees. holes on the underside which grows in masses on twigs and greasy cap. The Glistening are at the ends of vertical tubes has a rather shrivelled Inkcap (Coprinus micaceus) is a with the spores developing on appearance. There were three brownish colour with glistening their sides. One of these was Milk Caps, which exude a “milk” spicules on the cap when young the orange Stereum when damaged – the large and and grows on dead wood in subtomentosum, which grows in unpleasant looking Ugly Milk dense clumps. Also brown and tiers and is leathery and has Cap (Lactarius turpis), Lactarius clumped on wood, but larger alternating zones of different shades. Similar, but with a Underside of the Maze Gill fungus variety of colours other than - John Presland orange was the Many-zoned Polypore (Trametes versicolor). Another was the Birch Bracket (Piptoporus betulinus), which can be up to a foot across on Birch trunks living or dead, and was once used as a razor strop - hence one of its names the Razor-strop Fungus. The edible Beef Steak (Fistulina hepatica) is red and grows on Oak. Particularly fascinating was the Mazegill (Daedalea quercina) on a tree stump, which also has pores, but they take a gill-like form which looks like a maze.

Finally, there were the popular Agarics, which typically have a stem called a stipe with a cap and with a ring on the stipe, is on top with radiating gills below the Honey Fungus (Armillaria it, the spores forming on the mellea), which is death to a sides of the gills. Among these, range of trees. Another the edible Shaggy Parasol clumped species on wood was (Macrolepiota rhacodes) was Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma one of the more easily fasciculare), greenish yellow to identified, with dark brown brown with purple spores. scales on a whitish cap and a ring on the stipe. Less easy Many thanks to Malcolm for were two small species of adding his knowledge to the Mycena - M. epipterygia which excitement of discovery and to has yellow colours on the stipe Christine Storey who compiled and M. haematopus which most of the species list. emits a red sap when damaged. John Presland Another minor was Milk Cap- John Presland Marasmiellus ramealis, which Winter 2010-2011 Wiltshire Botanical Society Page 2 Sunday 14 November 2010 Westbury Hill Rosemary Duckett

This was the first of our “Walk, Lunch, Talk” meetings of the winter. Rosemary took us into the clouds at the top of the hill at Westbury and we walked south, with the sky gradually clearing so we could see the valley stretched out to the west. Partly following the Wessex Ridgeway and with a woodland diversion, we went over White Hill Hanging and Upton Cow Down and headed to Upton Scudamore and The Angel Inn for our Lunch. Afterwards, we assembled a Rosemary’s house for Pat’s afternoon talk.

Sunday 14 November Photos by Pat 2010, at Rosemary Duckett’s house Transylvania

2010 ... horse- drawn carts Pat Woodruffe and hayricks Last year I joined one of Bob ... splendid Gibbons’ wonderful holidays flora ... and travelled to Transylvania, bewildering the heartland of Romania. We blues visited three centres, all quite [butterflies] different but relatively close so that travelling was not too great. Magura, a small alpine village in Village street the Carpathian Mts. close to the town on Zarnesti, was our first The result, of course, was a stop. Agriculture here was splendid flora and extensive – horse-drawn carts accompanying insect life. and hayricks were numerous. Martin Warren, from Butterfly Conservation, was the co- Old Town leader so we had an expert to identify those bewildering blues. During our stay we met an array of lovely plants including Astrantia major, Scabiosa ochroleuca, Lychnis viscaria, Veronica teucrium, Gentiana utriculosa, several orchids, campanulas and many delights.

Our second centre was the medieval town of Sighisoara which gave access to lower- lying meadows and to some of Melampyrum arvense the old Saxon villages with their characteristic layout and - albino form

Page 3 Wiltshire Botanical Society Winter 2010-2011 fortified churches. Viscri is one such village where the animals from the farms graze the meadows by day but return home each evening. ... animals Witnessing ‘the cows coming home’ was a memorable sight from the as they each knew their own farms graze gate and pealed off from the the meadows rest at the right moment. The by day but meadows around this village return home were unbelievably colourful with each evening. acre upon acre of yellow rattle or of dropwort. We also found Melampyrum arvense in both the usual purple form and also Yellow Rattle an albino one. Our third stop was Miclosoara village about 40km from Brasnov. The properties were owned by a Hungarian Count who was exiled during the communist regime but had returned and is now converting and it is to be hoped that ways dwellings into tourist of improving their life-style can accommodation, all furnished in be found without damaging the a traditional manner. From here rich and diverse flora and fauna. we were able to explore some Several groups are working in wet meadows and also a gorge. the area to try to address this Veratrum album was common and other issues, including one at one site as well as the lovely which is supported by Wiltshire Iris sibirica, Melampyrum botanist John Ackeroyd. bihariense, and the beautiful, Pat Woodruffe Clematis integrifolia tall and aptly named Orchis

Clematis integrifolia was another lovely plant as were Dictamnus albus, several salvia, Polygala major and Dianthus carthusianorum. ... no-one can wish such a hard way of life on the farmers ...

Filipendula vulgaris

elegans. Plant life in the gorge was not so splendid but the butterflies certainly made up for this. Hungarian Gliders, Poplar Admiral, Woodland Brown and the lovely little Map Butterfly, to name a few.

There are many more plants to describe and much to be said about this lovely area. Sadly, no-one can wish such a hard Salvia nutans Gentianautriculosa way of life on the farmers here Winter 2010-2011 Wiltshire Botanical Society Page 4 Saturday 15 January Some plants have 2011 changed their genus or even their family in the new “Stace” and this Plant workshop: means a lot of re- learning for us. Sharon Stace and started by explaining that until recently plants Poland had been classified only according to their Sharon Pilkington structures. Molecular studies (yes, this often Paul Darby had kindly arranged means DNA) showed for us to use the boardroom of that we had usually got the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust evolutionary offices in Devizes for this relationships between session. It was very popular, Splitting of plants right, but not with two dozen of us crammed plant always. When there into what should have been a families, were mistakes, they generous space. changes in had to be put right. genus, She distributed Clive Stace’s heavyweight “New handouts giving old Flora of the British Isles” has reversion to old names ... and new names of been the standard work for (163 changes), identifying higher plants since additional species 1991 and has now reached its At least the (often aliens, 219 third edition. It is basically a big English species) and removals (15 key with species descriptions names stay taxa). These are available on bag of plants that were not and, where necessary, the same. the BSBI website if you want to always closely related; it has diagrams or black and white look2. The new classification is been split into several families, photos of important plant parts. including the true Some people prefer to use a probably a pretty good match to the evolutionary relationships Scrophulariaceae (figworts, 1 book with coloured pictures , and we are unlikely to get many mulleins etc.) and the but Stace is often essential to more changes. Veronicaceae (speedwells, be certain of the correct foxgloves, snapdragons etc.). identification. Some examples. Celandines Semi-parasites like Hay Rattle (Ranunculus ficaria) do not look (Rhinanthus) and bartsias much like buttercups or water (Odontites) have moved in with 1 for instance, Rose, The Wild crowfoots and they have been the parasitic broomrapes Flower Key; David Streeter, moved into their own genus, (Orobanchaceae). Happily, Collins Flower Guide changing their name to Ficaria plants can change family verna. The big fescue grasses without needing to change their with auricles have moved out of names, so Rhinanthus minor is the genus Festuca and have still Rhinanthus minor. become Schedonorus (Meadow Fescue: S. pratensis; Tall After a break, Sharon took us Fescue: S. arundinaceus; and through using the new(ish) Giant Fescue: S. giganteus). “Vegetative Key to the British Just when you have learnt how Flora” by John Poland and Eric to say “Helictotrichon”, Meadow Clement. It allows you to and Downy Oat Grasses have identify just about any plant, become Avenula pratensis and even grasses and sedges, by Avenula pubescens. Some using details of leaf shape and names have apparently reverted arrangement, hairs, vascular e.g. Salad Burnet Sanguisorba bundles, vein patterns, and minor is now back to Poterium even smell. Getting samples in sanguisorba. Orchids: several an icy January was a challenge, changes of genus and even a but Sharon brought us plenty, complete name change, plus and we identified them correctly. changes in status from They included Evergreen Oak subspecies to full species. (easy), Viper’s Bugloss (moderate) and White The figwort family Deadnettle (surprisingly hard), Scrophulariaceae was a rag- Richard Aisbitt 2 http://www.bsbi.org.uk/ resources.html Page 5 Wiltshire Botanical Society Winter 2010-2011 Saturday 12 February 2011 Grovely Wood

A good example of botanists’ weather, this the only fine day in a week, for a morning walk around the eastern end of this ancient woodland. Many early signs of spring growth but we could fully appreciate many mosses including Thuidium tamariscinum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and R. triquetrus, and Neckera complanata, all typical of such woodland.

We saw many of the marker Track in Grovely - Alison Robinson plants of ancient woodland and took the opportunity to identify viewing of her photographs from and give proper new species Namaqualand Barbara still her recent trip to Namaqualand status to a handsome specimen goes on and Cape Province, South of Dryopteris affinis growing by and Cape Africa. This area was isolated the path. adventurous by earth movements in an early Province holidays. ice age and contains plants We heard ravens were heard found nowhere else. above the canopy. These are After lunch some of us went to Namaqualand is largely desert increasing in south Wiltshire Barbara Last’s lovely house in with only a short period of and the writer was thrilled a few Berwick St James where she spring rainfall which permits a day later to watch the aerial entertained us to a spectacular sudden and remarkable courtship display of a pair flowering. Plants of three further west in East Knoyle. predictable types: annuals, Skylark song accompanied our geophytes and succulents (with return across downland to Great some deciduous shrubs). This Wishford to a well-earned lunch constitutes the Fymbos flora at the Royal Oak. Our thanks to (the word means “delicate Anne Appleyard and Sue plant”). Proteaceae are typical Fitzpatrick for such a pleasant and Protea cynaroides is a fine excursion. example. Pollinators seem to be mostly beetles, and Barbara David Pickering had some fine photographs showing them at work.

Despite such harsh conditions humans have managed to exist here using the resinous Protea species for fuel, hardy sheep that can graze further inland on the high veld (which can be very cold even in summer), and even the very prickly Acacia species to serve as barbed wire! Past occupation by Bushmen is evidenced by ancient cave painting. We would each have a favourite from Barbara’s marvellous presentation, but mine was an unforgettable image of orange Gazania growing with a sky blue composite under a similar sky. David Pickering

Winter 2010-2011 Wiltshire Botanical Society Page 6 16th March 2011 Great Yews, Coombe Bissett Anne Appleyard and Pat Woodruffe

The forecast said the cold mist would soon burn away. It didn’t and there was a biting wind on top of Coombe Bissett Down where we met, but larks were singing, brave souls. It was not, however, a brisk walk to the wood as there was recording to be done on behalf of the new BSBI initiative for updating the floral atlas. This was an advanced course as there was nothing to go on but immature Great Yews! greenery.

Soon we had wide hedges on flora, unlike under the yews, WBS members already know either side which had been and it was the same round the that it is a fallacy that yew was thrashed to clear the track but ... a mass of edges of the wood, and five or grown here to make long bows were otherwise entirely sub-trunks six kinds of fern were found. – English yew was considered unmanaged – a wonderful muddled too brittle; long-bow staves tangle of dead wood and together, It being late winter, there were were imported from the hawthorn, blackthorn, privet and with many no berries left on the trees but continent ivy. It looked a splendid habitat mice had left yew-seed cases for small mammals and shelter hollows, where they had dined. Badgers After the wood we walked back for birds. knobs and had an extensive sett with two a different way, including a contortions ... trails of dried grass, dropped stretch beside Grim’s Ditch, Then the wood itself. My, what when being carried home for another reminder of the remote a wondrous place. The yews nesting. past. are gigantic, their trunks seemingly a mass of sub-trunks A few things about yew trees, Nine of us went to the pub in muddled together with many garnered later: - Geoffrey Dunton for a jolly lunch, quickly hollows, knobs and contortions Grigson said an old Wiltshire served – a powerful stimulus for the name for yew was “snotty galls”. imagination. The branches What a sacrilegious term for a Rosemary Duckett spread widely, often dipping to near-deity. Also he says that the ground and sprouting from the oldest known wooden there. However there are some artefact is of yew, a spear found that do not spread, they soar; 2 at Clacton, 250,000 years old. or 3 trunks together shooting up Can this be true? I expect most past their neighbours.

We had no idea of their ages. In 1955 about 300 of them had girths over 3 metres and 16 of them over 4 metres, mighty trees already and now 55 years older. All of us felt some awe and wonderment. For those of us who tick “no religion” on our census forms it would be easy to prefer “animism” and this is our cathedral, mysterious and theatrical

We came across a clearing in the wood of mixed deciduous trees and bushes, with ground Page 7 Wiltshire Botanical Society Winter 2010-2011 Sunday 27 March 2011 Savernake Forest Joan Davies and Jack Oliver

Twenty-two people converged on the "Forest Garden", just off the Grand Avenue. Jack and Joan showed us round the 45 year old arboretum of mainly conifers. It is planted in small attractive groups rather than single specimens. Some of the Members at the arboretum - Paul Darby highlights were: · Pinus longaeva - did not refer to woodland but to (pedunculate) (= Q. x rosacea). Bristlecone Pine: NOT the an area administered under A handout illustrated the longest-lived, as it has been Forest Law - i.e. deer protection difficulties in discriminating "overtaken" by and royal timber rights. between the three. The Oak Scandinavian Spruce and Dieback (Phytophthora Creosote Bush. We then had a "tour" of the ramorum) is more of a problem ancient oaks, of which the Gigantic to plantation trees (often French · Abies grandis - Giant Fir: “Cathedral Oak" is probably the imports) than the large oaks. "holdfast" needles that are ancient oaks, oldest at 1000 years +. It is fragrant if rubbed. 10 m in circumference and the 10 metres in Beeches - well known along girth and · Tsuga heterophylla - third largest in the forest. The Grand Avenue - are very Western Hemlock. "King of Limbs" is the second 1,000 years shallow rooted and therefore largest and 10.3 m in old. unstable. They were planted in · Picea omorika - Serbian circumference. Pollarding is the 1720s. The forest has the Spruce. vital to rejuvenate and decrease largest Field Maple in the · Betula alleghaniensis - the weight of limbs and country (3.75 m. circumference) Yellow Birch: (North coppicing usually dates from the and probably the largest American) - sap smells of Elizabethan era. The "Duke's Hawthorn (5.7 m "Oil of Wintergreen". Vaunt" (8.9 m circumference) circumference) in the world! nearly died in 2007 after · Juniperus recurva - splitting - but it originally had a I have to say the trees were Drooping Himalayan hole in the trunk. memorable for their size or Juniper grandeur, but the lunch should Jack pointed out that there are go down in history! · Acer pensylvanica - many hybrids between Q. Moosewood. petraea (sessile) and Q. robur Simon Young A seedling hunt was undertaken - but only came up with Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar).

We then retired to Joan's house and beautiful garden on the edge of the forest, where we were treated to a sumptuous lunch with contributions from most of us. I for one found it difficult to stay awake for Joan's talk that followed, but it was not from lack of interest!

Joan's knowledge of the forest is encyclopaedic. When Jack punctuated the talk with a comment, the usual riposte was -"We're coming to that"! Savernake was a Royal Forest in Norman times - and in mediaeval times the word forest The Cathedral Oak

Winter 2010-2011 Wiltshire Botanical Society Page 8 Make a difference An appeal for help with plant recording in Wiltshire The map In the next few years you’ll be shows the hearing a lot about a major new recording survey initiative from the BSBI in effort from preparation for a new national Atlas. Some of you will have the year 2000 copies of the first Atlas (Perring & onwards for Walters, 1962) and the famously each 10 km heavyweight second (by Preston, square Pearman and Dines) was published in 2002. The BSBI will probably publish the third in around 2024 and although this SU22 (Bentley sounds a long way off, there is a Wood etc) had lot of legwork to do in the 11,700 records meantime. I am starting to prepare for a period of recording SU04 between now and 2020 that will ( involve a large amount of systematic fieldwork. Plain) had 1,068 records Would you be interested in ‘adopting’ a 10 km grid square SU19 (north and surveying it? Wiltshire is a of Swindon, large county and has 27 of these part Gloucs) entire squares (hectads) plus another 17 that are shared with had just 298 records more detailed information in the adopt different 10km squares. If neighbouring counties. future. You do not need to be an you have a burning desire to expert botanist to take part, and I reserve one near you (or further The general idea would be to shall certainly be offering help away if you prefer!) please let me record as many of the higher with identification. Starting this know. Already, Becky Morris has plants (including ferns and winter I shall be organising volunteered to adopt Warminster introduced species) found in your workshops and training to help (ST84), Pat Woodruffe has taken chosen hectad as possible. In with issues of survey procedure on Whiteparish (SU22) and practical terms, this would not and identification of difficult Simon Young is keen to cover his mean surveying all of it, which groups (such as grasses, ferns, local patch (Wingfield ST85). As I would be terribly daunting, but composites and aquatic plants). have access to the Salisbury rather, surveying as many Hopefully we will also be able to Plain training estate I am tackling different habitats as possible that run WBS field meetings to ‘blitz’ some of the squares there myself are present within it. For outlying or unadopted squares in but if you are a member of one of example, if you had a lot of the next few years. the conservation groups there farmland in your hectad, you and you’d be willing to help would survey a representative Although I shall be providing please let me know. area but try to search out dedicated data collection forms different habitats, such as waste for the fieldwork, there is nothing This is a terrific opportunity to get ground, woodland, streams, to stop you making a start now, if involved early with a very rough grassland, ponds and so you want. Either download a important botanical project. on. Most species would be customised VC recording form Please can you help? If so, recorded at 1km level but it would from the BSBI website please email me, call or write and be desirable to record in greater www.bsbi.org.uk/resources/ or I I’ll reserve you a square. detail for uncommon or rare will happily send/email one to plants (such as those in the you. Please complete one of Sharon Pilkington (see Wiltshire Rare Plant Register). these for every different 1km contact details on the back Hopefully it would be the kind of square you visit within your page) thing that you would enjoy doing hectad – but not tetrads (2km x while you are out for a walk, at 2km) please. different times of the year. At the moment I am simply Clearly, this is a long-term recruiting keen local botanists to project, and I shall be providing Page 9 Wiltshire Botanical Society Winter 2010-2011 Wiltshire Botany Articles Free Online

All articles in all issues of the Society’s journal Wiltshire Botany can now be downloaded free from Windows Live Skydrive. There is a list of all the articles on the site and an index to locate articles on particular subjects. To find out how to do it, log on to the Society’s website (www.communigate.co.uk/wilts/wiltshirebotanicalsociety). Choose the Download Wiltshire Botany option for full instructions John Presland Tim’s Crossword: Flora Miniature

This time I have taken the theme of the small and minute. It might remind you of the times you have been on your belly with stones spiking you all over and scoured a few square centimetres of earth and found something exquisitely beautiful. Or more likely just dull and small! Happy hunting…. Tim Kaye

Looks hard - old issues of the newsletter could help. Ed.

Across Down 1. Probably our smallest grass (12) 2. Fast shutting of eyes (6) 8. Prolific (7) 3. Common Duckweed (10) 10. Sedge assiduously mapped at Martin Down 4. Jewellery for Cnidarians (13) (12) 5. Long pointed spike plant (7) 11. Dive down into the sea for these? (9) 6. Sherardia arvensis (11) 13. Limosella aquatica (7) 7. Umbellifer found at Crook Peak and Brean 14. Up to your knees in water for this orchid spe- Down (8) cies (3) 9. Used for treating eye infections (9) 17. Located at Slapton Ley (9) 12. A fairly small Salix (10) 18. Small Birch - Betula ..... (4) 15. Discovered in 1951 near the head of Loch 19. Hornungia petraea (10) Sheil (9) 20. Linum that makes you sick (9) 16. Minuartia sedoides (6)

1 2 Answers to “Food for Free” (Issue 36)

1 2 3 F E N N E L 4 5 3 4 U S B 6 7 5 6 J U N I P E R R S 8 9 7 G A B O R A G E 8 9 R W H A I M A 10 10 E H O P O L S B K 11 11 12 13 S R S L O E T L A T T L X O E L 12 13 14 15 H S Y A R M E 14 15 16 S A L S I F Y N E T T L E G R L D D L 17 16 17 R V E L D E R L A 18 O E R T A N S Y 19 18 W R A M S O N S R S 20 19 W O W 21 22 L I M E M A R S H M A L L O W 20 E K R EclipseCrossword.com 23 B U R D O C K T EclipseCrossword.com Butcher’s Broom seeks partner

Jack Oliver knows a local right of way with masses of female Butcher’s Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) that produce no berries. Would moving a potential male partner be legal and ecologically acceptable? If so, could any member provide a male plant to keep them company and pollinate them? Abundant pollen production essential and polygamy permitted but GSOH not important. Jack’s phone number is on the back page.

Winter 2010-2011 Wiltshire Botanical Society Page 10 Wiltshire Botanical Society Committee

Richard Aisbitt Chairman, newsletter, records 01793 694680 [email protected] Anne Appleyard Annual Field Trip 01980 610 385 [email protected] Jane Brown 01672 569241 [email protected] Paul Darby Wiltshire Wildlife Trust 01380 725670 [email protected] Rosemary Duckett Secretary 01373 858296 [email protected] Sonia Heywood Web site, minutes 01380 830478 [email protected] Jack Oliver 01672 861251 Sharon Pilkington BSBI Recorder for Wiltshire 01373 827074 [email protected] John Presland Editor: Wiltshire Botany 01225 865125 [email protected] Tim Kaye Treasurer and Membership 07980 863 577 [email protected] Pat Woodruffe Meetings Secretary 01794 884436 [email protected] Summer Meetings Future Meetings

Here are the remaining meetings for the Please suggest ideas for meetings or talks. Perhaps summer more training workshops? If so, what would you like to Sat, 16 July 2011, am Bradon Forest roadside verge learn about? More Winter Walks? Contact Pat - Verge Monitor Woodruffe by writing to: Sat, 16 July 2011, pm Cloatley Meadows Anchorsholme, Hop Gardens - Paul Darby Whiteparish, Nr. Salisbury Wilts SP5 2ST Wednesday, 20 July 2011 , Chittoe Heath - Lesley Wallington or by phone or e-mail (01794 884436, Saturday, 6 August 2011 Rushall Organic Farm [email protected]) - Tim Kaye Friday, 12 August 2011 Symonds Yat, Wye Valley Chairman’s Message - Mark and Clare Kitchen Wednesday, 7 Sept 2011 Great High Croft and Hang I remember first going out with the WBS and feeling very Wood, East Knoyle ignorant in the presence of seasoned plant recorders. - David Pickering However, members were always patient, helpful and willing to share their knowledge. One can’t become Sunday, 2 October 2011 Fungus Foray, expert overnight; knowledge builds over years and each with Salisbury NH Society step forward seems to reveal more challenges ahead. However, I am getting closer to my aim of being able to For details, see our meetings leaflet or the Wiltshire put a name to all the plants around me when I am in the Botanical Society web site at http://www.wiltsbotsoc.co.uk field (at least with book in hand).

After going on some identification courses with the Field Studies Council (thoroughly recommended), I have The Next Newsletter realised what a good grounding the WBS meetings had already given me. WBS members give you tips which are not found in the books, take you to wonderful places and Issue 38 will cover the summer meetings up to 12 August show you plants you would take a lifetime to find on your (Symonds Yat). Please send any items by own. The message is, if you are interested in wild 19 September 2010. As usual, I aim to cover all our flowers, come to our field meetings. There’s lots to meetings, but please send other items too. enjoy. How about “My Favourite Plant” or “My Favourite Site”? Of course, there’s more to discover than identification: how do plants fit into communities? how are their habitats Post to Richard Aisbitt, 84 Goddard Avenue, Swindon, and their numbers changing? how can we help them and Wilts SN1 4HT, or email to [email protected] their habitats to survive … ? Other News

Our Botanical Recorder, Sharon Pilkington, writes an You can download this newsletter (and other recent annual report about plant life in Wiltshire for the WSBRC. newsletters) in colour from You can find her 2010 report at: http://www.southwilts.com/site/WBS/Newsletters.htm http://www.wsbrc.org.uk/YourRecords/CountyRecorder/pl antandfern/2010Report/PageTemplate.aspx

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