SOMERSET RARE PLANTS GROUP

2005 Newsletter Issue No. 6 December 2005.

How time flies! This is the sixth annual newsletter we have produced and it seems only a short while since we were considering our first issue. We thank all who have sent in contributions and reports for this newsletter and again appeal to all members to send in short items for inclusion in the next issue. Anything botanical with relation to will be considered. Items can be sent at any time to Caroline Giddens, either by post or e-mail: [email protected] Deadline 20th October, 2006.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS, 2005. ______

Saturday 8th January A.G.M. INDOOR MEETINGS: We started our New Year with our Annual As stated at the AGM, work on the Somerset Winter Meeting and AGM. As on previous Red Data Book/Rare Plant Register occasions, this took place at English Nature progresses slowly and more help is required Offices at Roughmoor at 11 am. Eleven from members. Workshops were held at EN members attended and apologies were offices on 22nd Jan., 5th March., 29th Oct. and received from several others. The morning 12th Nov. The work is being divided with was taken up with a video of the Gardeners various members to be responsible for writing World programme in 2004 which dealt with up allocated species. growing wild flowers in gardens and featured Steve has conducted two MapMate work- our member Lady Ro FitzGerald talking on shops to help overcome problems with site about some of the rareties of The Lizard entering and extracting data from our in Cornwall. computers. This was followed by an excellent We have again benefited from Liz’s expert buffet lunch provided by members and after tuition and advice on mounting herbarium lunch the short A.G.M. took place. Steve specimens and trust our amateur efforts have Parker opened the meeting and advised that been of some use. he was about to become joint BSBI Recorder Visits to the Somerset County Museum for VC5. He said the work on the Somerset Herbarium in have also been Rare Plant Register will occupy our group for interesting and beneficial and we are grateful several years and more help from members to the organizers. would be appreciated. Any records of Somerset plants will help. It was felt that our Saturday 19th February Weston-super- membership may have dropped a little over Mare. the last 12 months and we should all make an With spectacular views of Wales across the effort to recruit new members. Our Treasurer, Bristol Channel and to Steep Holm, it felt as Anne Cole was not able to be present but Liz though you could walk out to the island on McDonnell said she understood there were a what must have been one of the clearest days healthy £300+ in the bank. I have ever encountered at Weston-super- The remainder of the afternoon was Mare. A group of five walked along the sea taken up with members slides. Margarete lawns. As we went we found rosettes of Earle and Liz showed pictures of the group Trifolium suffocatum (Suffocated Clover) and visit to Scotland and Margarete also showed Rumex pulcher (Fiddle Dock). We did find slides taken in the Dolomites where we have a Stellaria pallida (Lesser Chickweed) and group visit planned for 2006. Brian Laney Sedum album (White Stonecrop) flowering. from Northamptonshire had a selection of On reaching the area of the lawn where the plants from the many sites he visited in 2004 model railway is and being careful not to be and Jean Webb also showed some interesting run over by a train we got down on all fours pictures. in search of Poa infirma (Early Meadow-

1 grass). It was found last year by the leader On revisiting Nyland Hill in August, I was new for Somerset. After a long search we did delighted to see hundreds of Autumn Lady’s manage to find one plant of the grass standing Tresses (Spiranthes spiralis) on the south- at a mighty 6mm high. Another specimen was facing grassy slopes. The 2005 Red List lists found but even smaller. We were just about to head back to the cars for lunch when a very large example of the grass compared to the other two already seen was found next to the track of the railway, disappearing out of sight each time the train passed over it. The afternoon was spent at Uphill where we Autumn Lady’s Tresses searched for Hornungia petraea (Hutchinsia), (Spiranthes spiralis) without success on the steep rocky outcrops. We did see plenty of flowering Erophila verna agg. (Whitlowgrass) and the leaves of Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort).

Paul R. Green this small orchid as Near Threatened, so Sunday 10th April – Nyland Hill Nyland Hill is an important site for this Several members met at Wedmore for lift species. I also recorded dozens of Nit-grass sharing to Nyland Hill, a small outlying (Gastridium ventricosum) individuals at its ‘island’ of carboniferous limestone near the bare, rocky location near the base of the hill. Mendips. It is a steep sided conical hill Liz McDonnell clothed on the northern side with Ash/Field Maple ancient woodland. The grassland is Saturday 23rd April - Joint SANHS/SRPG species-rich as its steepness has prevented Field Meeting to Lime Ridge Wood, Orchard agricultural improvement. Fiddle Dock Wood, Piddle Wood and Young Wood (Rumex pulcher) is frequent here and the Early rain no doubt deterred many from attending rosettes were easily identified by the ‘violin- this joint meeting with members of the Somerset Archaeology and Natural History Society, but by shaped’ basal leaves. On the steep south- 11 a.m. it had subsided to a fine drizzle. As our facing slope on the bare open areas amongst small party headed up the track to the northern the rock outcrops, Early Forget-me-not edge of Lime Ridge Wood the sky cleared for the (Myosotis ramosissima) was abundant, with first time, and for the rest of the day we were other small ephemerals such as Common bathed in warm sunshine. No doubt those that Whitlowgrass (Erophila verna), Rue-leaved decided not to join us would have felt cheated by Saxifrage (Saxifraga tridactylites), Field the weather! Madder (Sherardia arvensis) and Knotted The aim of this meeting was to investigate a Clover (Trifolium striatum). We found several group of more or less contiguous woodland blocks patches of the nationally scarce Spring on the Liassic (somewhat calcareous) northern Cinquefoil (Potentilla neumanniana) on the slopes of the . All the woods lie within about 6 km of Taunton town centre, and so grassy slopes, which were flowering are within the 7 km radius covered by the profusely. proposed Taunton Flora. As such, we decided to In the wooded part of the hill, Ransoms concentrate on making species lists for the Flora, (Allium ursinum) dominated the ground flora attempting to record all taxa encountered within but other species of note included Goldilocks each of the six ‘quartads’ (½-km squares) visited: (Ranunculus auricomus), Enchanter’s ST/24.19 (SW, SE, NW & NE); ST/25.19 (NW); Nightshade (Circaea lutetiana), Nettle-leaved and ST/24.20 (SE). Bellflower (Campanula trachelium) and We had a productive six hours, with a final Moschatel (Adoxa moschatellina). Several tally of more than 170 taxa for the day (including specimens of the unusual Earthstar fungi – one or two subspecies), and certainly a much (Geastrum ?pectinatum) were found amongst improved record of the species present within each ‘quartad’. For some, this level of square- the litter. bashing might have seemed like overkill, and this was the first time that several of the group had

2 recorded in this way. But there is always a certain perhaps the rarest plant of the day, the one satisfaction at finding new species (never mind producing the greatest whoops of joy, was none whether the square is large or small – it’s still a other than Vicia cracca (Tufted Vetch)… new record!), and by recording in ½-km squares Simon J. Leach we were able to have that satisfaction six times over in a single afternoon! The results speak for Sunday 8th May – themselves: The purpose of this meeting was to map the distribution of rare and scarce plants within Quartad No. of taxa Total no. of taxa the SSSI boundary for use in English Nature’s recorded following visit on Site Dossier Project. before 23rd 23/4/05 April Brean Down is well known for its ST/24.19 1 79 assemblage of rare and scarce species. The SW new 2005 Vascular Plant Red List gives ST/24.19 27 98 European threat categories to all the native SE plants in Britain and this changes the status of ST/24.19 1 41 several plants found on Brean Down. White NW Rock-rose (Helianthemum appeninum) and ST/24.19 35 136 Somerset Hair-grass (Koeleria vallesiana) are NE now the only Red Listed plants on Brean ST/25.19 94 130 Down, with a category of ‘Vulnerable’. NW Dwarf Mouse-ear (Cerastium pumilum), Pale ST/24.20 48 89 St John’s-wort (Hypericum montanum) and SE Green-winged Orchid (Anacamptis morio) are

No great rarities - we didn’t visit the ‘Near Threatened’ and the other Brean Down Cephalanthera damasonium (White Helleborine) specialities such as Dwarf Sedge (Carex and Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly- humilis), Bird’s-foot Clover (Trifolium orchid) sites in nearby Pridley Plantation - but we ornithopodioides), Slender Trefoil (Trifolium were pleased to see good quantities of a number micranthum), Small-flowered Buttercup of species typically associated in the Taunton area (Ranunculus parviflorus), Moonwort with woods and hedgerows on the Liassic clays, (Botrychium lunaria) and Goldilocks Aster including Rubia peregrina (Madder), Equisetum (Aster linosyris) are all of ‘Least Concern’, telmateia (Great Horsetail), Iris foetidissima even though some of these may be nationally (Stinking Iris), Sorbus torminalis (Wild Service rare or scarce. Tree), Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring-tree), The group split into two, and equipped Daphne laureola (Spurge Laurel), Euphorbia amygdaloides (Wood Spurge), etc. Less welcome with maps and coloured crayons, set off to was Hyacinthoides hispanicus (Spanish Bluebell), map the rare species (except Goldilocks several clumps of which were found growing in a Aster, which can only be seen from the beach hedgerow within spitting distance of some fine at low tide). The resulting maps showed that stands of native H. non-scriptus, having possibly most of the rare species are confined to the been dumped here as a garden throw-out. In Lime steep, bare soils of the south-facing slopes, Ridge Wood, during our lunch stop, we particularly at the western end. This work discovered both Luzula pilosa (Hairy Woodrush) will feed directly into English Nature’s SSSI and the much scarcer L. forsteri (Southern Condition Assessment. Woodrush), while in Young Wood we visited an Liz McDonnell area of species-rich calcicolous grassland now managed as a butterfly reserve, and saw Succisa th pratensis (Devil’s-bit Scabious), Stachys Wed. 25 May - Farleigh Hungerford officinalis (Betony), Genista tinctoria (Dyer’s A group of ten met to have a look around Greenweed), Sanguisorba minor (Salad Burnet), Rowley Copse where we tried counting the Primula veris x vulgaris (False Ox-lip), etc. In Ornithogalum pyrenaicum (Spiked Star-of - many cases the most interesting species were Bethleham), which were scattered over the ones that would cause most of us to hardly raise copse. Even though there were many leaves an eyebrow; but this is one of the unexpected there seemed very few flowering spikes, rewards of such small-scale, intensive recording. probably less than 100. Two large trees of Who would have thought, for example, that we Sorbus torminalis (Wild Service-tree) and a would be getting excited about bracken? And number of young trees were seen, along with

3 a single plant of Listera ovata (Common were looking at one of the most uncommon Twayblade). In the adjoining field- the site of plants to be found in Somerset, the hybrid the medieval village of Rowley - Bromus orchid Ophrys apifera x insectifera (Bee x Fly commutatus (Meadow Brome) was compared Orchid. This plant had been discovered a few with Bromus hordeaceus (Soft-brome). years before and only now had we as a group gone to find and worship it. The plant was well photographed and admired, while the leader (Steve) was concerned in equal measure for the heath and safety of the SRPG members (from the busy road) and for the health and safety of the orchid from trampling under foot. The other vegetation on the road bank was rich with a good selection of limestone species. Moving on from the road verge we drove to a much quieter area, the ramparts of South Cadbury Iron Age hill fort. Here we recorded a number of species of interest including the large population of Saxifraga granulata

Spiked Star-of-Bethlehem (Meadow Saxifrage). We had recorded this (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum) plant in 2000, and as far as we could tell, the colony was continuing to thrive. The same After sitting in the sun on the bank of the was true of Verbascum virgatum (Twiggy River having our lunch, we searched Mullein), the other rarity found here. Having the river for Potamogeton lucens (Shining walked on the site we set off to investigate a Pondweed) near the weir, without success. nearby hill, but sadly intensive agriculture had Hopefully it was just because the water was beaten us, and there was very little of interest very dirty that we didn’t find the pondweed, it left for us to see, still can’t complain - we had was first found in this site by H.F. Parsons in seen some excellent plants during the day. 1873. The river did have a few specimens of Steve Parker Schoenoplectus lacustris (Common Club- rush) and Alisma plantago-aquatica (Water- Wednesday evening 1st June - Long Sutton plantain). A single large plant of Giant Plantations Hogweed and a few plants of Dipsacus The party of eleven gathered on the roadside pilosus (Small Teasel) grew on the bank of just south of the railway bridge at Upton the river. On the side of a stream leading into where we counted Vulpia unilateralis (Mat- the River Frome some flowering spikes of grass Fescue) growing on top of a field wall Aconitum napellus (Monk’s-hood) were seen. either side of the field gate. On the wall on the Luckily for us they were on our side, as if on south side of the gate we reckoned there were the opposite bank they would have been in 200 plants and 280 on the part of the wall on Wiltshire. The fields the group walked the north side of the field gate. through along the River Frome all had a rich We drove on to Long Sutton Plantations flora with species such as Briza media where we walked along the lane to the (Quaking-grass), Helictotrichon pubescens plantation. The verges of the lane had (Downy Oat-grass) and Cruciata laevipes Lathyrus aphaca (Yellow Vetchling) and (Crosswort). Linum bienne (Pale Flax). Once reaching the Paul Green plantation the group spread out to count the Cephalanthera damasonium (White Saturday 28th May - Rare Orchids and Iron Helleborine), which were only seen in two Age Hill Forts spots, eleven specimens being seen in total. A lay-by by the side of the A303 is probably The grassy strip below the plantation gave us not the best place to be on one of the busiest Lathyrus nissolia (Grass Vetchling) and Lotus days of the year, yet this is where the SRPG glaber (Narrow-leaved Bird’s-foot-trefoil). members decided to spend a happy hour. We Paul Green

4 Saturday 4th June – Flea Sedge (Carex pulicaris). We also found On 4th June eleven members of the SRPG met both British subspecies of Heath Wood-rush at Comberow in the Brendon Hills. (Luzula multiflora ssp multiflora and ssp Recording began immediately with the congesta). sighting of Lysichiton americanus (American In the afternoon, we explored Chewton Skunk Cabbage, which had naturalised at the Wood. We saw a few patches of Solomon’s- water’s edge. Other water and bog plants seal (Polygonatum multiflorum) and abundant made a tally of 68 species in this first km Thin-spiked Wood-sedge (Carex strigosa). square. The second square recorded included Along the main ride, we puzzled over a the area known as “The Incline” which has a Potentilla, which I had found previously and 1 in 4 ascent over three-quarters of a mile hoped would be Trailing Tormentil long. Once the first 15 feet of vertical (Potentilla anglica) because that has been mudslide was mastered, the rest proved easy recorded in the wood by others, but not yet by going and turned out to be a shady, fern-lined me! The patch we found, however, did not green haven. Recording continued, with seem right and we suspected a hybrid, so we rocky slabs on either side and running water collected specimens and I pressed them and beneath and here 70 species were recorded. sent them to the referee, Dr Brenda Harold. The third square, which comprised the She has confirmed that it is the Hybrid woodland known as Eastern Wood and some Cinquefoil (Potentilla x mixta). old pastures gave a larger count of 150. When the current owner bought Chewton Although no botanical surprises were turned Wood in 1997 he created a pond, which is up, it was a very satisfying excursion. being allowed to develop naturally. Here we Jeanne Webb found Curled Pondweed (Potamogeton crispus) and Fennel Pondweed (Potamogeton Saturday 11th June – Chewton Wood and pectinatus) and two Water-crowfoots. Paul Hollow Marsh Meadow bravely waded in for Thread-leaved Water- Only three members (Paul, Liz and I) crowfoot (Ranunculus trichophyllus), which I attended this meeting, which was a pity think is a new 10km square record. because it was a glorious day, with several I was very grateful to have the expertise of exciting finds. We went first to Hollow Paul and Liz for some quality recording on Marsh Meadow, a damp, neutral, unimproved my home patch and hope they enjoyed the grassland (and a Somerset Wildlife Trust walk as much as I did. Reserve). In this 4-acre meadow, we found Helena Crouch Betony (Stachys officinalis), Saw-wort (Serratula tinctoria), Meadow Thistle Wed. 15th June – Evening meeting to Max (Cirsium dissectum), Bitter-vetch (Lathyrus Bog, linifolius var montanus), Dyer’s Greenweed Time did not allow a thorough survey of all (Genista tinctoria ssp tinctoria), Sneezewort the species-rich fields that make up this SSSI, (Achillea ptarmica), Marsh Valerian so we concentrated our efforts on the two fen (Valeriana dioica), Lady’s Mantle fields, to search for the several rare and scarce (Alchemilla filicaulis ssp vestita), Common species that occur here. We were pleased that Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) and the farmer who grazes the bog for the Avon Heath Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza Wildlife Trust joined us to discuss the future maculata) – and many other species. We had management. As usual, a SRPG recording our picnic amongst this floriferous splendour. card was compiled for all species, and 8- The herbaceous flowering plants were figure grid references given for some of the stunning, but some of the grasses and sedges rare and scarce ones. were at least as exciting! We found a few The two small fields that comprise the patches of Heath-grass (Danthonia base-rich fen have rather different decumbens), which I had not seen before, and communities. Tall rushes - Juncus Downy Oat-grass (Helichtotrichon conglomeratus, J. effusus and J. pubescens), and we found eight different subnodulosus, with tussocky Purple Moor- sedges. These included Tawny Sedge (Carex grass (Molinia caerulea), dominate the hostiana), Pale Sedge (Carex pallescens) and western field. Other associates include

5 Meadow-sweet (Filipendula ulmaria), Broad- Euphorbia characias wulfenii (Mediterranean leaved Cotton-grass (Eriophorum latifolium) Spurge), Geranium pencillatum and Teucrium and several sedges including Common Sedge chamaedrys (Wall Germander) – the latter (Carex nigra), Tawny Sedge (Carex hostiana) being a very attractive plant which had many and Long-stalked Sedge (Carex viridula ssp. members determined to get it into their brachyrhncha). Special note was made of the gardens forthwith. Abandoning furtive location and population details of Tubular searches behind the back of the Gents we Water-dropwort (Oenanthe fistulosa), which made our way onto the dune/saltmarsh in the new Red List 2005 is given a threat interface and recorded 114 more species in category of ‘Vulnerable’. ST3365. As well as species which would get In the eastern field, Marsh Helleborine the pulse racing on the best of days – such as (Epipactis palustre) and Twayblade (Listera Trifolium arvense (Hare’s-foot Clover), ovata) were abundant. Other plants of interest Orobanche hederae (Ivy Broomrape), here are Black Bog-rush (Schoenus Parapholis strigosa (Hard-grass), Phleum nigricans), Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia arenarium (Sand Cat’s-tail) and Hirschfeldia conopsea) and Dyers Greenweed (Genista incana (Hoary Mustard) – there were some tinctoria). We spent considerable time keying exceptionally good species such as out Narrow-leaved Marsh-orchid Honckenya peploides (Sea Sandwort), Carex (Dactylorhiza transteinerioides) and were extensa (Long-bracted Sedge), Juncus fairly convinced that 6 spikes were present. maritimus (Sea Rush), Lavatera arborea Although parts of the site were still (Tree-mallow), Trifolium scabrum Rough undergrazed, we were pleased to see that Clover) and Parapholis incurva (Curved stockproof fencing had recently been Hard-grass) - one of only two sites in completed in preparation for a more Somerset for this rather bizarre and structured grazing regime, which was, in fact, remarkable nationally scarce grass. All these started within two weeks of our visit, when species had been previously recorded from the westerly field was grazed. the site, however particularly pleasing were Liz McDonnell & Karen Pollock our sightings of Althaea officinalis (Marsh- mallow) and Carex paniculata (Great Sunday 26th June – Sand Bay Tussock-sedge) – both new records for this Sand Bay is part of the Severn estuary SSSI site and both scarce throughout Somerset. and is the northernmost sand dune/saltmarsh Those who have known this site for some complex in Somerset. Its considerable years were of the opinion that not only had its ecological interest has been known for many botanical diversity got even better but the years, however, the distribution and status of extent of the rare and scarce species had rare and scarce species had not been largely increased. The overall quality of the undertaken systematically for some time. To dune system (including an area of slack to the rectify this situation eight members turned up north) also appeared to be at a new peak, on a beautiful warm and sunny day to walk despite the attempts of Hippophae along the beach and over the dunes (a hard rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) to strike a life!) The size of the Sand Bay complex foothold. Council have made it sensible to stick to a systematic undertaken some management of this noxious survey of the northern half of the dune shrub and we have recommended they treat complex and leave a visit to Sand Point and the regrowth with chemical controls – nothing the saltmarsh, as well as the southern section should be allowed to spoil this maritime of dunes, for another day. treasure. Rather nice plants started to be discovered Walking back to the car park some almost immediately – next to the famous members wandered into the saltmarsh and Sand Point public toilets – one of many sites enjoyed some early blooms of Limonium of architectural merit and cultural importance vulgare (Common Sea-lavender) amidst the the group has visited this year. The toilets are Spartina x townsendii (Townsend’s Cord- built on the site of an old cottage, the memory grass) and numerous small birds flushed from of this building living on in the form of well- the rich pickings of seeds and invertebrates. established and rather attractive aliens such as Phil Quinn

6 Wed. 29th June – Langford Heathfield (Limonium vulgare) were in good flower, Langford Heathfield falls within my local while a few Black-headed Gulls and Common flora area, so I was interested to discover what Terns were to be seen over the island and species the SRPG members could find to add mudflats. An old tip area turned up a few to my site list. I had also been told that a more interesting species, but the greatest strange hybrid orchid had recently been seen debate on plant identification was over the on the site! This was an evening meeting and name of a plum, I am still not sure if any at first I did not think we would get far formal species identification was agreed, but because as we set off there was a loud crack quite a few plums were eaten in the process. of thunder, but the rain quickly passed and the The following day the group (5 members evening was pleasant. of the SRPG) met up again at Dungeness. We We had three target species for the were also joined by our guides for the rest of evening, firstly the strange orchid. Despite a the visit, Doug and Sue, who are old friends long search we failed to find orchids of great of mine from Kent. In my view the large interest. So we set off for our second target; expanse of shingle ridges at Dungeness is one Genista anglica (Petty Whin) which was of the strangest places in and located but found in only small numbers. The therefore well worth a visit. To gain a good final species of the evening was Viola lactea view of the site we climbed the steps of one (Pale Dog-violet). Again the population of the old lighthouses, from here we had appeared to be quite small and vulnerable. excellent views of the largest shingle system The SRPG were none the less impressed by in England. The ness formed in a series of the management efforts of the Somerset shingle ridges, the tops of which support a Wildlife Trust who manage the site. very rich flora (and fauna). From the top of So, although the rare plants on site are the lighthouse we also had good views of the currently limited in number we were hopeful nuclear power station, how such a thing got that the site would continue to be of botanical planning permission is quite beyond me. Back interest and support the two national rarities. on terra firma we walked towards the sea. Steve Parker Here, growing in good quantity, were large

July 8th – 10th Weekend in Kent It was at the annual midwinter gathering of the SRPG that we agreed as a group that a trip to Kent would give us an opportunity to visit the rare arable weed site shown on the Gardener’s World TV programme. So on a bright sunny morning a small, but very select group set off to see what we could find. On the Friday afternoon we visited Darland Banks in Gillingham, this is an area of chalk grassland on the edge of the Medway towns. The long hot summer had taken a bit of a toll on the generally rich flora; Man Orchid (Aceras anthropophorum) was seen but in a somewhat desiccated form. Walking Yellow Horned-poppy (Glaucium flavum) patches of Sea pea (Lathyrus japonicus) with to the end of the site a fine specimen of Red Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) and Curled Star-thistle (Centaurea calcitrapa) was found, dock (Rumex crispus subsp. littoreus) with still in good flower. I have known this species many fine specimens of Sea-kale (Crambe in this location for over 20 years, but the maritima). Atlas of the Kent Flora states that it has been Returning inland, we noticed large mats known here since 1839! Moving to the nearby of Dodder (Cuscuta epithymum) creeping Medway estuary some of the commoner salt over the other low vegetation. Of particular marsh plants were viewed, the extensive note was the shy flowering Nottingham stands of Sea-purslane (Atriplex catchfly (Silene nutans), while the eye and the portulacoides) and Common Sea-lavender camera was attracted to the colourful stands

7 of Yellow Horned-poppy (Glaucium flavum) macrantha (Crested Hairgrass) and and Vipers Bugloss (Echium vulgare). As you about 14 clumps of vallesiana growing on move slowly inland you notice a change in large flat rocks at the eastern the plants, large patches of a prostrate edge of the site. Some of these were very Blackthorn Prunus spinosa covered in a range small but the impression was of an expanding of colourful lichens. While a little further on colony. Anne Cole willow woodland had developed. After lunch we returned to our cars, on the Sunday 24th July - Berrow Dunes/Golf course way to the RSPB reserve we made a short Several members met on a somewhat wet and stop to view the famous flotsam and jetsam windy start to the day, the weather soon garden that was designed by Derek Jarman. improved to be a nice sunny day. A small At the nature reserve we took a short walk to pond produced Typha angustifolia (Lesser the bird hides, outside of the first hide a small Bulrush) and the hybrid T. x glauca (T. but fine specimen of Jersey Cudweed latifolia x T. angustifolia). The Linaria (Gnaphalium luteoalbum) was found growing arenaria (Sand Toadflax) that was found in at the edge of the path. Further down the track 2004 was looking good. Vulpia fasciculata we admired a stand of Lesser Reedmace (Dune fescue) was abundant in places, as was (Typha angustifolia) growing at the edge of a Festuca rubra (Red Fescue), these two recently excavated pool. In the hides we had produced another hybrid for us X F. views over the large expanse of water that hubbardii. Several other interesting species forms the heart of the internationally were also seen including Juncus acutus important bird reserve. (Sharp Rush), Vulpia ciliata subsp ambigua Sunday morning’s excursion was to (Bearded Fescue) and Centaurium pulchellum Ranscombe Farm, just outside of City of (Lesser Centaury). Rochester. Plantlife has recently purchased Ian P Green the farm. After a short walk we found a single plant of Meadow Clary (Salvia pratensis) Saturday 6th August – Ham Hill growing at the side of the track, a little Five members met to explore the 400-acre site further, by an old burnt out car, a few plants of Ham Hill Country Park. We were soon of Rough Marsh-mallow (Althaea hirsuta) looking at Epilobiums of which we saw five was discovered. Emerging in the main field species plus the hybrid between Broad-leaved the group were soon excitedly discovering a and Hoary Willowherb. This was growing wide range of rare arable weeds; these next to a very large patch of Euphorbia included Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) cyparissus (Cypress Spurge) with a scattering and Broadleaved cudweed (Filago of white flowered Geranium molle var. alba pyramidata). I think that all agreed the long (Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill). Agrimonia trip to Kent was well worth it. procera (Fragrant Agrimony) was in Steve Parker abundance as was Scabiosa columbaria (Small Scabious). While we ate our lunch we Wed. 20th July – Cross Plain, looked at a Bromus, which turned out to be B. Four members met, on a beautiful evening, hordeaceus ssp. longipedicellatus, confirmed and climbed up Mendip through the by Laurie Spalton, new for VC5. Campanula abandoned quarry at Cross. The steep rotundifolia (Harebell) was only seen on one limestone grassland was very dry, roadside. A single large clump of Carex but covered with profuse Helianthemum muricata ssp. lamrocarpa (Prickly Sedge) nummularium (Common Rock-rose), was on the side of a path along with Cirsium Sanguisorba minor (Salad Burnet), eriophorum (Woolly Thistle). A woody area Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort), Galium had many spikes of Arum maculatum (Lords- verum (Ladies Bedstraw) and Linum and-Ladies) with orange berries and a clump catharticum (Fairy Flax). We searched of three spikes that had yellow berries. On top all the limestone outcrops for Trinia glauca of the bank around the edge of the working (Honewort) and Koeleria vallesiana quarry was Lathyrus nissolia (Grass (Somerset Hairgrass). No Trinia was found Vetchling) with one flower still out. but there was widespread Koeleria, both K. Paul R. Green

8 Saturday 3rd September – Catsford Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and Ivy- Common, Bay. leaved Duckweed (Lemna trisulca) were Thirteen members and friends met on a warm recorded. In another narrow, overgrown sunny autumn morning. The aim of the ditch, Wild Celery (Apium graveolens) was meeting was to record all the species in each 1 detected by its strong aroma. On the way km square into which Catsford Common falls, back to the cars, secondary flowering growth and to map the distribution of the rare plants of a Yellow-cress was recorded, this was later Slender Hare’-ear (Bupleurum tenuissimum), determined as Rorippa sylvestris (Creeping Sea Barley (Hordeum marinum) and White Yellow-cress), an uncommon species in West Horehound (Marrubium vulgare). Somerset. Liz McDonnell

Sunday 18th September. Devon Whitebeams on . What a disappointment! The weather was fair and I was all set for the check on Sorbus devoniensis. I parked by Timberscombe Wood and waited…. I had received three apologies from people who could not come, but we have lots of members…. No one arrived and after a quarter of an hour I thought I had better drive up (and down) the road in case anyone was in the wrong place. Having drawn a blank, I began to do a plant list while waiting. By the time I had covered

White Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) the road verges it became apparent that everyone had either lost their way, were not Catsford Common, like its neighbour Wall interested in Whitebeams or perhaps I had got Common to the east, is a coastal site the day wrong! comprising maritime grassland, saltmarsh, Anyway, I was all set for a day’s shingle and muddy shore. The low sea walls botanising so, leaving my car at the bottom of provide stone and concrete substrates to add the footpath (to point any latecomers in the to the variety of habitats and niches for a wide right direction), and continuing recording, I diversity of species. Sea Barley was abundant made my way up to the iron-age hill fort. on the short grazed grassland between the This hill-fort was discovered by the ENP shingle banks and sea wall and its presence archaeologist c1999 in the centre of a could be detected at a distance from the plantation of larch trees. While clearing trees sandy-coloured short spiky seed heads. The from the fort, these whitebeams were Slender Hare’s-ear was locally common in ‘discovered’ (although we later learned that taller vegetation especially beside the main they had been known to at least one local track, but because of its slender habit, was inhabitant for at least 40 years). The whole difficult to spot and is probably under- circle of the fort now has a carpet of dominant recorded here. Several plants of White Great Woodrush (Luzula sylvatica). This had Horehound were recorded on the shingle bank recently been strimmed leaving the banks and and beside the sea wall, near small ditches of the fort clearly visible and quite populations of Sea Wormwood (Seraphidium impressive. At the lower edge of the circle, maritimum). Yellow Horned-poppy just outside the ditch are the whitebeams – (Glaucium flavum) was frequent on the four main trees, plus numerous suckers and shingle banks and several plants were still in possible seedlings. Having drawn the site flower. map, I took myself back to the road, noting a In the wide borrow-pit ditch to the south badger sett, several grey squirrels and a jay on of the main track, Fennel Pondweed the way. I had recorded 60 spp in SS9541. (Potamogeton pectinatus), Horned Pondweed After enjoying my picnic lunch, I (Zannichellia palustris), Spiked Water- continued on to the charming hamlet of Bury, complete with its old forge, old schoolhouse

9 and old packhorse bridge beside a deep ford. Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider Gum) – Wellington, Not wishing to become waterlogged, I drove ST135195, 31st July, seedling growing as over the bridge, with half an inch to spare street weed in passageway, Steve Parker. each side, and continued up the lane where New county record. the whitebeams grow in the hedgerow. Early in the year their white-backed leaves stand out Geum macrophyllum (Large-leaved Avens) – clearly among the surrounding vegetation. Wellington, ST140200, 17th August, weed in Not so in September, after hedge trimming. I garden. Not originally planted, Steve Parker. drove slowly along intending to stop and do New county record. some more recording when I reached the whitebeams. Hundreds of young pheasants Helleborus argutifolius (Corsican Hellebore) were in this area and cackled at me when I – Witcombe, ST47662149, 5th February, passed; they were on the gates, in the fields, single plant self-sown in pavement crack, atop the banks and all over the lane but I saw Paul R. Green. New county record. There no whitebeams. Oh well, I could do the 1 km have been three other records during the year: recording anyway. I drove back down, two by Simon Leach and one more by Paul R. keeping an eye open for Sorbus, new plants Green. and suicidal pheasants. Still no Whitebeam. I knew it was there somewhere, so I turned Ipomoea purpurea (Common Morning-glory) again and drove back up. It did not help that – Dunster, SS98994352, 17th September, every other oak had mildew making the single self-sown plant in pavement crack, leaves look white from a distance. No P.R. Green. Second county record. 1st from Whitebeam. 4 pm and time to go home so, Bedminster in 1928 by C.I. Sandwith. retracing my route for the fourth time I headed back and suddenly I saw it. Not a Sedum confusum (Lesser Mexican-stonecrop) trace of white showing on its green leaves – Dunster, SS98984338, 17th September, looking very like the surrounding hazel. small clump at margin of steep wood above There were two clumps, one of several bushes stream, Paul R. Green. and another probably just one or two. Just time to do the species card and what had Verbena x hybrida – Dunster, SS990435, 17th started as a disappointment had turned into a September, single self-sown plant with red very satisfactory and happy day. 89 spp were flowers in pavement crack, Paul R. Green. recorded in this square, SS9527. New county record. Caroline Giddens NEW RECORDS FOR V.C. 6 during 2005.

Bassia scoparia (Summer-cypress) August 2005. Established in places along verges and NEW RECORDS FOR V.C. 5 during 2005. centre of M5 for whole stretch which is in VC 6. Paul R. Green. New county record. Cortaderia richardii (Early Pampas-grass) – th Centaurea x moncktonii (C. nigra x C. jacea) Pen Wood, ST52140897, 4 February. Single th clump self-sown on woodland ride, Paul R. – Stawell, ST382379, 24 July, several plants Green, det. Ian P. Green. in headland around arable field. Sown with grass seed mix. Ian & Paul Green, conf. Eric Cuscuta campestris (Yellow Dodder) – The Clement. New county record. Patches, Hatch Beauchamp, ST313197, 18th September, growing on Guizotia abyssinica Dianthus carthusianorum (Carthusian Pink) – (Niger) in garden where it is thought to have Stawell, ST382379, June 2005, two plants in come in with bird seed, Tony Watts. Third headland around arable field. Sown with county record. The first record was from grass seed mix. Tony Lewis, det. Eric Windmill Hill, Bristol where it was a parasite Clement. New county record. A later visit by on a Christmas cactus, R.J. Higgins. Alastair Stevenson turned up eight plants.

10 Ludwigia peploides (Floating Primrose) – Oxalis tetraphylla (Four-leaved Pink-sorrel)- Huntspill, ST294455 & ST302450, August , ST0537. This weed, first 2005, for half a mile along the Huntspill recorded at Nettlecombe in 1973 still survives River and connected pools in small quantity, in the herb garden. Nick Stewart. New county record. Silene conica (Sand Catchfly) – Golf Links SS9845, 15 May. Although no plants were seen by the footpath this year, Val Anderson made a count of 970 in two main patches on the Golf Course. OTHER RECORDS OF INTEREST CJG DURING 2005. Althaea hirsuta (Rough Marsh-mallow) – th HAS A NATIVE SPECIES BEEN WIPED Copley Wood, ST505308, 15 July, ten plants OUT from Somerset by conservation appeared after timber extraction, Geoff Brunt. work? First seen at Copley Wood in 1875 by J.G. Vaccinium uliginosum – Bog Bilberry was Baker in a stony pasture. Very scarce when first found in Somerset in 1994 by Ian Green last reported in 1954 by E.F. Payne. when on Haddon Hill he thought he had found a strange willow that wouldn’t key out. Antennaria dioica (Mountain Everlasting) – th Desmond Meikle soon put him right and a Warren, ST503553, 5 June, one specimen was also sent to Norman Robson clump, about 60 x 30 cms in short grass, who agreed that it was Bog Bilberry. The Linda Carter. The last reported record for the nearest site is nearly 400km away in northern county is from Goblin Combe in 1926 by England. A cage was erected to protect the Miss H.M. Dixon. Always a rare plant in patch as it was being well nibbled by ponies Somerset with just seven records for the and deer. It flourished with the protection of county. The only site from the Cheddar area th the cage and flowered well in 1995. That was first recorded on 15 June 1922 by E.J. same year a fire scorched the hillside, Hamlin: a tiny patch with one stem in flower denuding it of vegetation, in fact blacking one on a rocky slope near the upper end of the th of the stakes securing the cage. The last gorge. Five plants and flourishing, 27 June reported sighting I have of it is from 2002. In 1925, Dr W. Watson. 2005 several people searched for it. Rhododendrons have been a problem for Bromus hordeaceus ssp. longipedicellatus – th some time in the area and spraying took place Ham Hill, ST47671716, 6 August, clump on during the winter of 2004/5. Several side of path, Paul R. Green, conf. Laurie Rhododendrons made their home very close Spalton. Second record for VC5 and third to the Bog Bilberry. Did the spray also take county record. out the Bog Bilberry, as there are large bare areas around each dead Rhododendron? Bupleurum rotundifolium (Thorow-wax) – th However you look at it, if the Rhododendrons Cocklake, ST4349, 18 April, appeared had been left they would have out-grown the spontaneously in flower bed, Liz McDonnell. Bog Bilberry and destroyed it. First county record since 1970 when seen by Paul R. Green John Keylock at . (A further search in the area has revealed Paul R. Green what appear to be the posts that supported the wire cage in 1995. The centre of this area is Orchis morio (Green-winged Orchid) – th completely filled with Bog Myrtle – so this Porlock Marsh SS8847, 14 May. After may be the culprit. Higher up the hill is a extensive searching, local botanist Chris plant, growing with Empetrum nigrum which Gladman found and photographed two has yet to be identified. It may prove to be a flowering plants. He also found an new patch of Bog Bilberry. This needs uncommon pale pink colour form of O. further investigation and SRPG hope to visit mascula (Early Purple-orchid) here. in 2006 to clear up the mystery.)

11 MYSTERY PLANT IDENTIFIED… DATES FOR THE 2006 DIARY Saturday 14th January 11 am. Last year, 24th April 2004, a SRPG meeting Annual Winter members meeting. on the identification of Black Poplars Come to meet other members, bring included a visit to Sandhill Park near Bishops Food for a bring and share lunch, Lydeard where there were some good show slides and photos. examples. Returning through the wood we English Nature offices, Roughmoor, saw an oak tree and in its forks, well above Taunton. ST209253. the ground, there was a leafy, shrubby plant growing. It was impossible to reach it and Saturday 28th January 10 am. various guesses were made as to its Rare Plant Register workshop. identification. English Nature offices, Taunton. Recently, whilst in the area with a young agile friend, we stopped at the same tree and Saturday 11th February 10 am. with great difficulty he shinned up the bare MapMate Workshop. trunk and retrieved a piece. It turned out to be English Nature offices, Taunton. Gaultheria shallon – a rare introduction, and one which is increasing in the county – but Saturday 25th February 10 am. not often as an epiphyte! Rare Plant Register workshop. Jeanne Webb English Nature offices, Taunton.

th MAPMATE Wednesday 8 March 10 am. Will those using the MapMate computer A visit to the herbarium at Taunton programme please note that some guide lines Castle Museum. for data entry are being developed. Please contact Steve Parker for details. The 2006 Field Meeting programme will be sent to members in the new year. DOLOMITES 1st – 8th JULY, 2006.

Several members have already booked this SRPG botanical trip, to see the mountain flowers of the Italian Dolomites, led by Margarete Earle. The holiday will be based at Selva, and if you do not want to book the package featured by Crystal or Thompson travel companies, Margarete has lots of information on alternative arrangements – B & B., self-catering, flights, buses, internet, etc. Contact Margarete on 01934 742496.

Wild Celery (Apium graveolens)

Subscription Reminder…. Our annual subscription is £5. This may be paid at the Winter Members Meeting on 14th January, but if you are unable to attend please send to our Treasurer, Anne Cole, Manor Cottage, BS27 3UN.

Newsletter issued by Somerset Rare Plants Group December 2005 Contacts: Liz McDonnell 01934 712649 [email protected] Steve Parker 01823 283211 (day) or 01823 666006 [email protected]

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