Welsh Bulletin
No. 85 January 2010
Editors : Richard Pryce, Katherine Slade & Sally Whyman Above: Betula celtiberica from Pontrhyd y groes area v.c.46 (see pages 17 19) © A.O. Chater Front Cover Photo : An example of Hypericum linariifolium (see pages 22 23) © K. Walker Contents Guest Editorial 4 R.A. Jones
Trevor Evan’s Flora of Monmouthshire wins the President’s Prize. Welsh Bulletin T.C.G. Rich 5 6
Issue 85 12th Quadrennial Meeting, 48th Welsh January 2010 AGM & 28th Exhibition Meeting, 2010 6 7
Editors : BSBI Field Meetings Wales – 2010 7 10 Richard D. Pryce Trevethin, School Road, Pwll, Abstracts of Exhibits shown at the 27th Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, SA15 4AL BSBI Welsh Exhibition Meeting, Builth [email protected] Wells 2009 11 14
Sally Whyman and Anglesey Plants in 2009 Katherine Slade I. Bonner 14 17 Department of Biosyb National Museum Cardiff Betula celtiberica in Wales Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NP A.O. Chater 17 19 [email protected] [email protected] Hieracium adelphicum P. D. Sell, Glamorganshire Hawkweed rediscovered Most back issues are still available on in Glamorgan. request (originals, photocopies T.C.G. Rich 20 21 versions) @ £2 per issue, please contact Sally Whyman or Katherine A Collection of Rare Native Plants Slade. Cheques are payable to BSBI A.G. Shaw 22 23 Wales. The last issue was no.84 released in June 2009. Modern Trends in Welsh Grasses at NMW G. Hutchinson 23 25 Back issues are currently being uploaded to the website. Carex × deserta : A Rare Hybrid of the www.watsonia.org.uk/html/ Atlantic Biogeographic Zone welsh_bulletin.html R.A. Jones 26 28
All articles, news, photos, guest editorials and other items for Plantlife Wales inclusion in the May 2010 issue Newsletter No. 10 1 6 should be sent to an editor by 26th April 2010.
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 3 Guest Editorial by the Chairman ANDY JONES Chairman of BSBI Wales, c/o Countryside Council for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government Building, Rhodfa Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3UR At first sight, Plantlife's new campaign whatsoever from JNCC in the last two “The Ghost Orchid Declaration” looks years. stronger on design than content (http:// www.plantlife.org.uk). It had the bad This funding disparity is not so bad in luck (or judgement) to headline an the Country Agencies (it couldn’t be “Extinct” species just when the Ghost worse) but plant conservation here is orchid happened to reappear and the still under resourced. Natural England tone, like the typeface, is a bit actually cut its botanical staff at a time exaggerated. It's easy to dismiss an when UKBAP plant targets more than argument when it looks over packaged doubled and the Countryside Council or inaccurate. for Wales (CCW) increasingly relies on non professional botanists (ie BSBI But, if you can get past the packaging, expertise) for data. CCW in fact didn't the Declaration makes some very – or couldn't – provide any information telling points. From the Joint Nature on site features for that recent ‘League Conservation Committee (JNCC)’s Table’ and, at present, it is still own statistics, Vascular Plant features working out how to report on SSSIs at come bottom of the ‘League Table of all. The best situation is probably in Species Features on SSSIs’ with just Scotland where, amongst other 52% “favourable” – as opposed to 71% measures, Scottish Natural Heritage for Breeding Birds, 72% for Mammals funds the BSBI to help with site and 92% for Fish – but “there is monitoring. Botanists get a bit of currently a fundamental imbalance in money (or other kinds of assistance) to the resources … to enable their visit sites for rare plants. Now I think effective conservation”. Birds make that the BSBI in Wales has a very good up only 5% of the species in the UK relationship with CCW (pioneering Biodiversity Action Plan but they got County Rare Plant Registers, etc., etc.), 38% (over £1.5million) of the JNCC but when it comes to getting people biodiversity research budget for 2007 involved in plant conservation, we 9. Mammals are just 1.5% of the should look to Scotland. In addition, if UKBAP but they received nearly 10% Plantlife want to follow up their latest of the budget (£376,766). And Plants campaign I think they could launch a and Fungi? They make up 48% of the Thistle Declaration, on how to species on the UKBAP. And they got conserve botanists as well as plants. absolutely no research funding
At the time of going to press we have just heard the sad news from Pam Hill that Dr Derek Hill passed away in hospital on 22nd December. Derek and Pam attended many Welsh AGMs over the years where their botanical enthusiasm was much appreciated. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Pam. Trevor Evan’s Flora of Monmouthshire wins the President’s Prize TIM RICH Welsh National Herbarium, Dept of Biodiversity & Systematic Biology, Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP “And next Wednesday I want the first tremendous and sometimes I found it ten species accounts” I said, but wished hard to keep up the thing that took the I hadn’t as Trevor gave me an extra time, was, editing out, most of, his withering look and I ran for the car. commas. I popped down occasionally The following Wednesday when I rang to back up his computer, resolve some the doorbell shaking in my boots in minor computing hiccups, and to have trepidation, there weren’t ten species my leg pulled. It took two years, and accounts waiting for me, there were 25. the time spent in front of the computer and having his leg pulled back took a Trevor’s Flora of Monmouthshire, for toll on his knees, one of which had to which he’d been recording with his be replaced in early 2007. Trevor many helpers for 20 years, had become wished to make the information stalled in a morass of different available to other botanists at a mapping programs which purported to reasonable price, so he prepared the be compatible but weren’t. His tetrad final copy for digital printing to keep mapping data had become seriously the cost down. He applied for grants to corrupted, so I offered to help edit the help cover the up front publication data so he could start maps for the costs, and once the printing costs had flora. Every Wednesday late into the been recuperated, returned the small evening for three months I had been profits back to those who had helping put the data back into DMAP supported it with grants. (the simplest mapping program and the only one I knew how to use my I have a huge admiration for Trevor for computing knowledge being only the quality of the Flora and for keeping marginally better than Trevor’s). We going despite the pain (both his knees had just finished cleaning up the and me!). I’m very proud of the flora, existing data and had started adding the and regard it as mine despite Trevor missing records to the maps. So, slave doing all the work. Trevor is also sure driver as I was, I thought ‘first stage that any typos and mistakes, like the complete, now time to write the text to Petasites map being misplaced in the go with them’. Ambrosia account, are mine.
Thereafter Trevor continued to write I was delighted to hear that it had been the species accounts and sent them to awarded the joint Botanical Society of me every week to edit. Progress was the British Isles/Wild Flower Society
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 5 Trevor Evan’s Flora of Monmouthshire wins the President’s Prize / AGM 2010
President’s Prize in 2008 by none other The Flora of than Professor Sir Ghillean Prance as Monmouthshire is available the best botanical book for that year. direct from Trevor Evans There are thirty copies left for those of (La Cuesta, Mounton Road, you who haven’t got a copy yet. Chepstow, Monmouthshire NP16 5BS) at £25 each I wonder if I should ask Trevor if its including p&p. time to start recording for a new Flora yet…
BSBI Wales Annual General Meeting 2010 12th Quadrennial Meeting, 48th Welsh AGM & 28th Exhibition Meeting, 2010
Friday 11th – Sunday 13th JUNE 2010 at HOTEL CYMYRAN, VALLEY, ANGLESEY DRAFT PROGRAMME
The theme of this meeting will be “Coastal and Heathlands”, and will be centred on a remarkable area of Wales rich in coastal habitats, especially coastal heathland. The AGM extends a warm welcome to all members at all levels of experience.
FRIDAY 11th JUNE 1.00pm Welcome and Registration Exhibition room open for setting up exhibits 2.30pm Afternoon walk to Cymyran coastal heathand to look for Juncus capitatus and other specialities. 6.30pm Evening meal at Hotel Cymyran
SATURDAY 12th JUNE 7.30 8.45am Breakfast (collect pre ordered packed lunch) 9.30am Depart for excursions to coastal/heathland sites including South Stack and the Inland Sea. 3.00pm Return to Hotel Cymyran for tea followed by Wales AGM and reports from BSBI Officers. All participants welcome to attend. 5.00 6.00pm Identification workshop to assist with identification of material collected in the morning and with members’ specimens brought to the AGM.
6 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 AGM 2010 / BSBI Meetings Wales – 2010 6.30pm Evening meal 8.00pm A series of short illustrated talks on the Anglesey flora.
SUNDAY 13th JUNE 7.30 8.45am Breakfast (collect pre ordered packed lunch) 9.30am Depart for excursions to coastal/heathland sites including Newborough Warren, Aberffraw and Traeth Lligwy (horsetails). The excursions will finish by 4.00pm.
The cost for two nights’ full board at the luxurious Hotel Cymyran (http:// www.hotel anglesey.co.uk) with packed lunches and conference fee is expected to be around £170 single and £230 double (en suite). Other accommodation will be available at nearby hotels, in which case conference meals and booking fees will cost ca. £50. Further details and a booking form will be included with the January mailing of BSBI News.
EXHIBITS: Details for booking exhibit space will appear on the main meeting booking form in the January mailing of BSBI News. Any material that will be of interest to other members is welcome.
Organising Secretary (please note NEW ADDRESS): Trevor Dines, Uned 14, Llys Castan, Ffordd Y Parc, Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 4FD. e mail: [email protected]
BSBI Field Meetings Wales – 2010
Full details and procedure for booking by the National Trust in 1998 are also available in the BSBI Year following a huge public appeal. We Book for 2010. Wendy McCarthy, 5 will see the work being done to restore Tyn y Coed, Great Orme, Llandudno, the slopes of Snowdon to favourable Conwy LL30 2QA. condition after decades of over grazing. The afternoon will be spent Saturday 22nd May: Nant Gwynant, recording the various habitats around Snowdon, Caernarvonshire, v.c.49. the farm, including cliffs, bogs, a Leader: Wendy McCarthy. A morning waterfall and the Afon Cwm Llan. visit to Hafod y Llan farm, an estate Meet at 10.30am in the car park at that reaches from the valley floor to the SH628.507 (fee payable). Bookings, summit of Snowdon. This was bought with SAE please, to Mrs. W.
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 7 BSBI Meetings Wales – 2010 McCarthy, 5, Ty’n y Coed, Great Carmarthenshire, v.c.44. Leader: Orme, Llandudno LL30 2QA. Trevor Dines. Join in the annual [email protected] vegetation survey of this small but wonderful neutral grassland reserve. Saturday 29th May: Cefn Cribwr, As well as recording changes in the Glamorgan, v.c.41. Leader: Julian vegetation, we’ll survey the meadow Woodman. Meet at 10am at Bedford for both Platanthera chlorantha and P. Park car park, bottom of Bedford bifolia, (Greater & Lesser Butterfly Road, Cefn Cribwr. SS8536.8344. We orchids) and look for hybrids between will be looking at several fields with a the two. We’ll also monitor range of marshy and dry grassland. Botrychium lunaria (Moonwort) and One of the key points of interest here is Viola lutea (Mountain Pansy) as well the population of Scorzonera humilis. as enjoying the wealth of sedges and There are many other botanical hybrid Dactylorhiza. Meet at 11.00am highlights including Marsh Fern, on the road verge car park at Blunt flowered Rush, Dyer’s SN605.442 (on the inside of the tight Greenweed and Petty Whin growing corner). Bring lunch. Bookings with side by side. If you want to get an idea SAE please to: Trevor Dines, Plantlife of what one of the best areas of Welsh Wales, c/o CCW, Maes y Ffynnon, ‘rhos’ looks like then come here. This Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, Gwynedd meeting is early in the year, primarily LL55 2LQ. Tel. 01248 387396. to catch the main flowering time for Scorzonera. If time allows, we could Saturday 26th June: Caeau Tan y go on to Kenfig dune system which is Bwlch Plantlife reserve, Clynnogfawr, not far. Please bring wellies! And Caernarvonshire, v.c.49. Leader: suitable clothing – who knows what Trevor Dines. Join in the annual May will bring. Further details sent on vegetation survey of this famous request. Bookings, with SAE please, to neutral grassland reserve. As well as Julian Woodman (personal), c/o CCW, recording changes in the vegetation, Unit 7, Castleton Court, Fortran Road, we’ll survey the meadows for St. Mellons, Cardiff CF3 0LT. Platanthera chlorantha (Greater [email protected] Butterfly orchid). We’ll also search for Ophioglossum vulgatum (Adder’s Friday/Saturday/Sunday 11th/12th/13th tongue) and have a look at the various June: Welsh AGM and Exhibition Euphrasia taxa found here. If we have Meeting and associated field meetings, time, the stunning views are great too! Anglesey, v.c.52. Meet at 11am at the car park beside the [See Outline Programme, page 6]. reserve at SH431.488. Bring lunch. Bookings with SAE please to: Trevor Saturday 19th June: Cae Blaen Dyffryn Dines, Plantlife Wales, c/o CCW, Plantlife reserve, Lampeter, Maes y Ffynnon, Ffordd Penrhos,
8 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 BSBI Meetings Wales – 2010 Bangor, Gwynedd LL55 2LQ. Tel. run from Friday to Friday 01248 387396. The annual Carmarthenshire Recording Saturday 3rd July: Cefn Caer Euni, and Monitoring Meeting will include Merionethshire, v.c.48. Leader: Sarah visits to well botanised sites as well as Stille. Meeting (limited car parking) in areas in need of additional recording Sarnau village off the within the county. The meeting will A494 at SH971.393 at 10.30am. Bring cater for both experienced and lunch and be prepared for a short steep inexperienced botanists and will walk (road and track) to the lake and provide an opportunity for the informal possible rough walking thereafter to development of identification skills. the hillfort at SJ0041. Bookings, with SAE please, to Mrs.S.E. Stille, The The River Loughor runs through the Quillet, Berwyn Street, Llandrillo, estate and at one point plunges over a Corwen, LL21 0TH. 10m waterfall into a rocky gorge where [email protected] Dryopteris aemula, Hymenophyllum tunbrigense a n d A s p l e n i u m Saturday 10th July: Gwent Levels, near trichomanes ssp. trichomanes are Newport, Glamorgan, v.c.41. Leader: among the ferns growing on the cliffs. Richard Lansdown. Meet at the There will be ample opportunity in the Wetland Trust Reserve car park at timetable to visit the site. Large ST3347.8347 at 10.30am. A meeting parkland trees provide the setting to the to look at aquatic plants, where it is mansion, including Tilia cordata, and hoped to visit some nearby fields and there remains much scope for further perhaps move on in the afternoon to discoveries to be made in the vicinity. farmland supporting interesting ditches. Wellies recommended and The mansion is run by the Jenkins bring a grapnel if you have one. family providing first class facilities Further information on the site can be including a large common room for found at www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/ evening identification and discussion guide/n/newportwetlands/about.asp sessions. The cost of the week from Bookings, with SAE please, to Mr R. lunchtime on 16th to breakfast on 23rd, Lansdown, 45 The Bridle, Stroud, including full board and packed Glos. GL5 4SQ. lunches, we are told will be pegged at [email protected] last year’s prices of approximately £400.00 but will be limited to about 20 Friday 16th July to Friday 23rd July: participants. Accommodation for part Glynhir Mansion, Llandybie, of the week will be charged pro rata. Carmarthenshire, v.c.44. Leaders: Kath and Richard Pryce. Please make initial bookings with the Please note that this year’s week will leaders as soon as possible. A 25%
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 9 BSBI Meetings Wales – 2010 deposit will be required by Glynhir followed by full payment six weeks Saturday 31st July: Brymbo prior to the meeting. Bookings to Mr & Steelworks, Denbighshire, v.c.50. Mrs R.D. Pryce, Trevethin, School Leader: Delyth Williams. At one time, Road, Pwll, Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, the largest and most advanced SA15 4AL. Tel:/ Fax: 01554 775847; steelworks of its time in the UK, now [email protected]. derelict with planning permission for the entire area. Before it is too late, Sunday 25th July: Cors Fochno (Borth come and look for colonisers over the Bog), Cardiganshire, v.c.46. Leader: bare ground and walls, aquatic and Mike Bailey (CCW warden). As associated species around the ponds BSBI's contribution to International and wet areas and whatever else we Bog Day, this meeting is arranged to can find in the grassland and planted visit one of the most important areas. There is a most interesting actively growing raised bogs in Visitors' Centre and geological Britain. Cors Fochno shows a wide trail. Bring lunch. Meet at 10.30am at range of characteristic bog vegetation SJ295.537 which is a gated entrance to and an outstanding series of transitions, the site, off a steep and narrow road, from bog, mire, reed swamp, lowland just below the top of the hill. Go grassland to woodland (with adjacent through the gates, down to the obvious saltmarsh and sand dune habitats that parking area in front of the buildings. can also be accessed later). There are Bookings, preferably by email, to widespread and obligate bog species [email protected] or with like Andromeda polifolia (and a nearly SAE please to Mrs. D. Williams, Graig full suite of bog mosses) and also Fechan, Ruthin, Denbighshire LL15 several very notable plants, like 2HA. Rhynchospora fusca, Drosera intermedia, D. longifolia and the rare Saturday 7th August: Llangorse Lake, hybrid D. x obovata together with Breconshire, v.c.42. Leader: Ray notable invertebrates and other Woods. Meet at 11am on Llangorse wildlife. Cors Fochno has extensive Common SO128.272. It is signposted wet terrain and Wellington boots are from Llangorse Village, Powys. We advised. Meet at 10.30 am and park in will examine the lake margin and a field on the south side of the B4353, species rich grassland. Waterproof c.150m east of Greenacres Nursery at footwear recommended. Please bring c.SN624.929. Bookings (with SAE lunch. Bookings, with SAE please, to please) to Mr. R.A. Jones, CCW, Mr. R.G. Woods, c/o CCW, Eden Welsh Assembly Government House, Ithon Road, Llandrindod Wells, Building, Rhodfa Padarn, Llanbadarn Powys LD1 6AS. Fawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 [email protected] 3UR. [email protected]
10 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 Abstract of Exhibits shown at the 27th BSBI Welsh Exhibition Meeting, Builth Wells 2009
There were 13 exhibits at this meeting, Fifty Taxa – How many can and are described on the next 4 pages. you name? New botanical and natural history TREVOR EVANS La Cuesta, books were displayed by Summerfield Mounton Road, Chepstow, Books. Photos of the field meetings, Monmouthshire NP16 5BS are on the back page. These pressed specimens kept a large number of the delegates, and Trevor, A Population of Whorled busy for a considerable time, and on Caraway in France the Saturday every entry was marked GILL BARTER 1 Glan-yr-afon, and the winner was Graeme Kay. The Gwaelod y Garth, Cardiff CF15 9HP time and effort to prepare this workshop by Trevor is much Habitat, in the Auvergne, described appreciated by all who took part. and associate species listed. The species were largely similar to those in Development of similar South Wales habitat but the Brachypodium pinnatum found in the Monmouthshire Floras 1868 Auvergne was an unusual associate. -2007, culminating in the Flora of Monmouthshire
Betula celtiberica in Wales 2007 ARTHUR CHATER Windover, TREVOR EVANS La Cuesta, Penyrangor, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 Mounton Road, Chepstow, 1BJ Monmouthshire NP16 5BS
Notes (copies available to take Modern Trends in Welsh away) and herbarium specimens of Grasses at NMW Betula species and hybrids. Betula GEORGE HUTCHINSON Welsh pendula and Betula pubescens are National Herbarium, Dept of usually thought to be the two native Biodiversity & Systematic Biology, species in Wales. However a third Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum species is now thought to be native Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 in Wales: B. celtiberica. AOC 3NP See page 23 for the full article. included thanks to Peter Sell. See page 17 for the full article.
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 11 Abstracts of Exhibits at 27th Exbn Mtg, Builth Wells 2009 Carex x deserta with whitish cataphylls like Nardus R.A. JONES c/o Countryside Council stricta) for Wales, Welsh Assembly Anisantha diandra (lower sheaths with Government Building, Rhodfa Padarn, long patent hairs) Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Anisantha sterilis (lower sheaths with Ceredigion SY23 3UR minute retrorse hairs) Cortaderia selloana (leaves easily Carex x deserta (C. laevigata x C. tearing) binervis), first recorded for Britain by Cortaderia richardii (leaves very A.O. Chater in Caernarvonshire in tough) 1961. This exhibition included a copy Festuca longifolia (leaves smooth to of original field notes of A.O. Chater touch) from 1961 and details of plants found Festuca brevipila (leaves rough to in vicinity in 2009 by Rod Gritten and touch) Daffydd Roberts (former and current Festuca heterophylla (dead leaves Snowdonia National Park ecologists) around outside of clump) and a live specimen of Carex x Puccinellia distans (leaves ribbed deserta. See page 26 for the full article. above) Puccinellia maritima (leaves not ribbed but with ‘tramlines’ above) Brachypodium pinnatum (leaves ribbed Vegetative Grasses above) Identification Workshop Brachypodium sylvaticum (leaves not JOHN POLAND 91 Ethelburt Avenue, ribbed above) Swaythling, Southampton SO16 3DF [Please note that a botanical glossary can be found in The Vegetative Key to the This workshop aimed to demonstrate British Flora by J.Poland and useful and new identification tips E.J.Clement]. found in the newly published Vegetative Key to the British Flora. Fresh specimens of over 40 species of Live Carex Plants native and alien grasses were available RICHARD and KATH PRYCE to participants for careful examination. Trevethin , School Road, Pwll, Llanelli, A few of the species are given below Carmarthenshire SA15 4AL (with interesting, yet simple, identification characters). Live Carex plants were displayed in Alopecurus bulbosus (twin basal pots: Carex montana originally from internodes or ‘bulbs’) Carreg yr Ogof, Carmarthenshire (I.K. Alopecurus geniculatus (leaves Morgan supplied plant to K.A.P) glaucous and pruinose) Carex x pseudoaxillaris (C. otrubae x Anemanthele lessoniana (a tall alien C. remota) – new to Carmarthenshire,
12 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 Abstracts of Exhibits at 27th Exbn Mtg, Builth Wells 2009 from roadside bank, Waunygweil, near plants identified by Rev. Primavesi Four Roads. were displayed. Carex ornithopoda – plant from I.K. The earlier date of this year’s AGM Morgan, grown from seed supplied by meant that the subtle colour and size Andy Jones. differences in the flowers of the wild Rosa species could be demonstrated A Collection of Rare e.g. the deep pink of Rosa sherardii and the smaller flowers of Rosa Native Plants micrantha. In addition, other characters ANDREW GORDON SHAW (demonstrated in last year’s exhibition) Gofynne, Llanynis, Builth Wells, Powys could be revised. LD2 3HN Specimens included: Rosa sherardii, See page 22 for the full article. Rosa mollis, Rosa micrantha, Rosa agrestis, Rosa tomentosa, Rosa caesia British Poas ssp. vosagiaca, Rosa caesia ssp. caesia SARAH STILLE The Quillet, Berwyn and Rosa spinossisima. Hybrids Street, Llandrillo, Corwen, included the Tiree special – Rosa Denbighshire LL21 0TH spinossisima x Rosa caesia.
A collection of 12 members of the ge n u s P o a (and associated Carex hostiana Hybrid from genera) were exhibited as herbarium Radnorshire Trust’s Latest sheets and a growing specimen. Also Reserve included were a key for identification, ANTHONY VAUGHAN Craig Fawr, notes and correspondence. The species Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 were: 3RD 1. Puccinellia maritima, 2. Poa annua,
3. Poa humilis, 4. Poa angustifolia, 5. The latest major acquisition of the Poa trivialis, 6. Poa nemoralis, 7. Poa Radnorshire Wildlife Trust is a 28 ha. palustris, 8. Poa compressa, 9. Poa area of traditionally managed hill chaixii, 10. Poa alpina, 11. Poa pasture called Tylcau Hill near infirma, 12. Poa pratensis. Llanbister. Basic flora and fauna recording has been taking place Native British Roses throughout 2008 and 2009, the last KATE THORNE Churton House, being a survey carried out a few days Church Pulverbatch, Shropshire, SY5 before the meeting. A puzzling sedge 8BZ collected then was shown to the meeting, where Arthur Chater A substantial number of live specimens obligingly confirmed the plants as of species grown from cuttings of
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 13 Abstracts of Exhibits at 27th Exbn Mtg, Builth Wells 2009 / Anglesey Plants in 2009 Carex x fulva (C. hostiana x C. Trays containing turves temporarily viridula). removed from various well characterised grassland types were displayed outside and delegates Workshop on the attempted to assign the correct NVC Identification of NVC classification to each one! A Grassland Communities considerable task to collect together these samples in preparation and a JULIAN WOODMAN c/o Countryside challenge for the delegates to correctly Council for Wales Personal, Unit 4 , identify them. Castleton Road, Fortran Road, Cardiff CF3 0LT
Anglesey Plants in 2009 IAN BONNER Cae Trefor, Tyn y Gongl, Anglesey, LL74 8SD
As an experiment a pre season indoor (Medium flowered Winter cress) was meeting was held at Treborth Botanic noted at Cors Erddreiniog, only a few Garden in March. About 30 of us yards from where it was first recorded listened to a range of short talks about on Anglesey in 2000. It seems likely the current state of knowledge about that it has been introduced with fodder the flora, and examples of possible for the ponies grazing the nature recording initiatives for the coming reserve. year. Based on the enthusiasm of the day it was agreed there would only be The first excursion in mid May saw ten three general excursions, leaving more of us meet on the coast at Tywyn time for individuals and small groups Fferam and Tywyn Llyn, Rhosneigr, to pursue other recording projects. before moving inland along foot paths through Penseri to Llanfaelog. Good In late April a plant identification lists were made from the three monads workshop was held at Treborth, where visited; but the highlight was the sight participants could try using a range of of a Marsh Harrier over pools at keys on different plants – with help on Penseri. hand. The flora was also sufficiently advanced to start monad recording and In late May the annual monitoring of during the whole season some records the Cephalanthera longifolia (Narrow have been collected from over 80 of leaved Helleborine) population took the 800 monads on Anglesey. place. This year these results were also used in the BSBI Threatened Plants In early May Barbarea intermedia Project (TPP) species on Anglesey.
14 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 Anglesey Plants in 2009
Distribution of Centaurium littorale (Seaside Centaury) on Anglesey, v.c.52. Image Centauriumcreated in MapMate littorale by I.R. (Seaside Bonner (seeCentaury) pages 13 15). SC
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8
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6 SH 2 34 5 6 7
Monad recording north of Rhosneigr area of Rhoscolyn. One of the finds on brought an invitation to look at a pony some rather scrubby heathland was a grazed field with the delights of both small population of the nationally Trifolium ornithopodiodes ( Bird's foot vulnerable Viola lactea (Pale Dog Clover) and Trifolium subterraneum violet), and it is hoped some (Subterranean Clover), as well as management can be restarted here that Trifolium micranthum (Slender Trefoil) would benefit the violet and other and Ornithopus perpusillus (Bird's heathland species. The only extant foot), all in a few square metres of population of Suaeda vera (Shrubby pony grazed pasture. Sea blite) in Wales, first recorded in 1999, continues to grow near here, and After an absence of ten years several botanists are still divided over whether repeat visits were made to the Bodior it is an introduction or a remarkable
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 15 Anglesey Plants in 2009 extension to its range. Cors Bodwrog was the location of the second Flora Group meeting in late A report on the BSBI's field visit to July. We added considerably to our Cors Erddreiniog on a cool and damp records from 2008; but still have the Saturday in early June will appear in northern end to cover another time. We BSBI News. were surprised by the diversity of the flora of the rock outcrops along the Remarkably this year two new west side of the fen basin. populations of the Near Threatened fern, Asplenium obovatum (Lanceolate Oenanthe fistulosa (Tubular Water Spleenwort) have been found, near dropwort) was the second of the Rhoscolyn and Trearddur, both on BSBI's chosen TPP taxa on Anglesey Holy Island. This brings the number of and the population on the RSPB's known sites on Anglesey for this fern Valley Lakes Reserve was duly to five. monitored in August. A good number of young plants were found in an area Returning to Rhosneigr and clovers, a managed round one of the landing July walk through the town confirmed beacons for the nearby airfield; but Trifolium scabrum (Rough Clover) on other parts of this wetland also need several of the mown verges in the management to enable this and other town. All five post 2000 records are less competitive species to thrive. from this part of Anglesey. A select band braved another wet and Jane and Ivor Rees found Centaurium windy day on Parys Mountain for the littorale (Seaside Centaury) along the final excursion of the year. A good cliff edge near Moelfre, this is the first number of additional records were record from the east side of the island. made for the various monads; but we Seaside Centaury is very much a failed to refind Lycopodium clavatum feature of dune slacks and cliff tops (Stag’s horn Clubmoss) at its only from Newborough to South Stack, as Anglesey location. can be seen on the map on page 15. Ivor Rees has continued to study the In a similar vein Richard Birch found unfashionable and taxonomically Pyrola rotundifolia (Round leaved challenging glasswort (Salicornia spp.) Wintergreen) in the damp floor of a and Sea lavender species (Limonium disused quarry near Llanddona. It is spp.) plants around the coast. His also much more associated with damp reward is confirmation that a areas in the dunes from Newborough to population of Limonium recurvum Rhosneigr, although there are isolated (Lafant y mor Portland, a Sea lavender records from a quarry near Llangaffo species) is amongst other Sea lavender and by Llyn Hendref at Cors Bodwrog. taxa by the estuary of the Afon Crigyll.
16 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 Anglesey Plants in 2009 / Betula celtiberica in Wales This is a new species for Wales, other first recorded in 1892 at Benwick in locations being the Mull of Galloway, Cambridgeshire and has otherwise St Bees in Cumbria, Portland Bill in been noted on Benbecula in the Outer Dorset and various localities in SW Hebrides. The Anglesey plants may Ireland. Fuller details about this form the only extant population in discovery will form a note for BSBI Britain. News. My thanks to all members of the Flora Another new plant for Wales is the Group and to all others who have even more unobtrusive pondweed contributed records and also to those hybrid spotted by Richard Lansdown at who have helped with the identification Cors Bodeilio. This is Potamogeton x of specimens this year. billupsii, the hybrid between P. coloratus (Fen Pondweed) and P. gramineus (Various leaved Pondweed). Although collected in 2000 its true identity has only been confirmed this year. This hybrid was ARTICLE EXHIBIT Betula celtiberica in Wales A.O. CHATER Windover, Penyrangor, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 1BJ
There are usually thought to be two Betula pendula Roth: bark white, native Birch species in Wales, but in broken into black fissures at the base of my experience they are so variable that the trunk; young twigs glabrous, with it is often impossible to decide whether wart like glands as well as lenticels; they are one or other of these species, leaves doubly serrate, truncate or the hybrid between them, or some broadly cuneate at the base, acuminate other species. Recent recognition by P. at the apex, glabrous; catkin scales D. Sell (pers. comm.) that a third with more or less recurved lateral lobes species appears to be native here seems and broadly triangular, obtuse median to have partially resolved the problem, lobe; each wing of the fruit at least although many uncertainties remain. It twice as wide as body. is hoped that this article will stimulate others to look more closely at Birches B. pubescens Ehrh.: bark greyish, in their areas. The two familiar natives rough, not broken into black fissures; are usually distinguished as follows: young twigs puberulent, with lenticels
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 17 Betula celtiberica in Wales but no glands; leaves more or less B. celtiberica Rothm. & Vasc.: (see singly serrate, rounded or broadly images on the inside front cover) bark cuneate at base, acute at the apex, often white to the base, not broken into somewhat pubescent; catkin scales fissures; young twigs puberulent and with more or less patent or slightly with warty glands as well as lenticels; ascending lateral lobes, the median leaves rather rhombic (diamond lobe oblong or triangular lanceolate, shaped) , cuneate, sometimes narrowly obtuse or subacute; each wing of the so, at the base, acute at the apex, singly fruit less than twice as wide as the dentate, sometimes slightly pubescent; body. (ssp. tortuosa (Ledeb.) Nyman, catkin scales with lateral lobes patent usually a shrub, with very small leaves or slightly recurved; each wing of the (mostly <3cm), also occurs in a few fruit less than twice as wide as body. places.) Walters (1993) and Sell (pers. comm.) Hybrids are supposed to occur, but it is emphasise the vegetative characters in difficult to discover how to recognise distinguishing B. celtiberica, and the them. Stace (1997) says that it varies combination of both warty glands and in characters between the two species, pubescence on the twigs is especially and describes the Atkinson Discrimi distinctive. Moreno & Peinado (1989) nant Function, which uses leaf consider that it is a species of hybrid character measurements to separate the origin probably involving B. fontqueri species, but as a positive value Rothm. and B. carpatica Waldst. & indicates B. pendula, a negative one B. Kit. ex Willd., and relate this to the pubescens, and the chances of getting a great variation in both vegetative and value of 0 are minimal, it seems bract and fruit characters shown in its difficult to know how to begin to Spanish populations; they do not identify the hybrid. record B. pubescens in central Spain where this study was carried out. In The third species now believed to be their Flora Iberica account (1990) they native in Wales is B. celtiberica say that because of the great variation Rothm. & Vasc. (1940), widespread in in the glands on the twigs in B. the mountains of Spain and Portugal. pubescens as a whole, recognition of B. It is treated as B. pubescens ssp. celtiberica using this character is celtiberica (Rothm. & Vasc.) Rivas unjustified, and consequently sink it; Mart. in Flora Europaea (Walters, this is in line with the general tendency 1993), and is sunk into B. pubescens in towards often excessive lumping in Flora Iberica (Moreno & Peinado, Flora Iberica. Betula identification 1990). It is intermediate between the seems to be no easier in Spain than in other two species in some characters, Wales. but not in all:
18 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 Betula celtiberica in Wales Like B. pendula and B. pubescens, B. Strata Florida SN745654 in v.c.46, for celtiberica is often planted in Wales, example, a fairly remote, unplanted but it occurs frequently in wild, often upland mixed Oak/Birch wood, apart very remote situations and certainly from a few trees of B. celtiberica, B. appears to be native. This is confirmed litwinowii and B. japonica, scarcely by an early collection from Nan any of the Birches can be confidently tyrarian, v.c.46, in CGE by Burkill and identified and none are typical B. Willis in 1893, determined as B. pubescens or B. pendula. celtiberica by P. D. Sell. The collec tors thought it was B. pubescens, and I am grateful to Peter Sell for introduc remarked that it was “certainly not ing me to B. celtiberica and for naming planted”. Representative native a number of my specimens, and to material has recently been collected George Hutchinson for further from many sites in v.c.46, including information. open woodland on the south slope of Foel Fawr, Eglwys fach SN69029490, References 2004 (CGE, A. O. Chater, conf. P. D. Newton, I. (1972). Finches. New Sell), open woodland 500m ENE of Naturalist. Collins, London. Strata Florida SN752659, 2005 (CGE, Peinado, M. & Moreno, G (1989). The A. O. Chater, conf. P. D. Sell) , and genus Betula (Betulaceae) in the trackside in Cwm Mwyro, 3km E of Sistema Central (Spain). Willdenowia Strata Florida SN773649, 2004 (CGE, 18: 343 359. A. O. Chater & P. A. Smith, conf. P. D. Peinado, M. & Moreno, G. (1990). Sell). In many areas it seems almost as Betula. In: Castroviejo, S. et al. (eds.), common as B. pubescens, but like that FloraI Iberica 2: 38 43. species it is certainly variable and it Stace, C. A. (1997). New Flora of the may well hybridise with the other British Isles 2nd edn. Cambridge native species and with alien planted University Press. species. Walters, S. M. (1993). Betula. In: Tutin, T. G. et al. (eds.), Flora Many alien Birches are planted, and Europaea 2nd edn, 1: 68 69. several, especially B. japonica and B. litwinowii, occasionally appear in very wild sites where they seem unlikely to have been planted and must have arrived either as wind blown seed or via semi migratory finches such as Redpoll, the major part of its diet in autumn and winter being birch seed (Newton, 1972). They too probably hybridise. In Coed Mynachlog fawr at
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 19 Hieracium adelphicum P. D. Sell, Glamorganshire Hawkweed rediscovered in Glamorgan T.C.G. RICH Welsh National Herbarium, Dept of Biodiversity & Systematic Biology, Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales, Cardiff CF10 3NP
P.A. SMITH 128 Llancayo Street, Bargoed, Mid Glamorgan CF81 8TP
Hieracium adelphicum P.D. Sell, cf. argillaceum (deformed by aphids), Glamorganshire Hawkweed, is a new H. sabaudum, Leucanthemum vulgare name coined for Hieracium praecox and Potentilla reptans. On a second Sch.Bip. microgen. fraternum Sudre visit on 20 June 2009, the plants were (Sell & Murrell 2006; Sudre 1902), a largely in fruit with a few flowers species which occurs in Central Europe remaining. from Hungary to South west France. It is characterised by the diffuse inflores The identification was confirmed by D. cence with small capitula with densely McCosh, who provided details of other glandular involucral bracts and records which have come to light since pedicels, and the leaves with pro publication of Sell & Murrrell’s nounced mammiform teeth. Sell & account (see the table to the right). Murrell (2006) only recorded it in the This included a recently determined British Isles from specimens collected specimen collected in 1997 by Paul in the neighbourhood of Caerphilly by Smith from Wyllie, north of Caerphilly A. Ley in 1906, and noted that it could (v.c.35). The site was revisited on 4 be an introduced species. July 2009 by Paul Smith and Tim Rich, and about 20 flowering and over 30 Peter Sell asked Tim Rich to keep an vegetative plants were found on the eye out for it in 2001, which he has bridge over the disused railway line at been doing ever since. It was thus with ST177943. The associated species pleasure that on 30 May 2009, Tim included Acer pseudoplatanus, Rich and Judith Rich discovered H. Arrhenatherum elatius, Betula adelphicum in Cardiff. Five plants pendula, Centaurea nigra, Crepis were found in flower on the west capillaris, Epilobium lanceolatum, E. facing wall of the railway embankment montanum, Fragaria vesca, Geranium of Wyndham Terrace, Llanishen dissectum, G. robertianum, Hedera (v.c.41; at ST180815. The associated helix, Holcus lanatus, Quercus robur, species were Rubus fruticosus Rubus fruticosus, Salix caprea, Senecio (dominant), with scattered Centaurea jacobaea, Stellaria holostea, Tarax- nigra, Cymbalaria muralis, Epilobium acum spp., Torilis japonica, Ulex lanceolatum, E. montanum, Hieracium europaeus and Urtica dioica.
20 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 Hieracium adelphicum, Glamorganshire Hawkweed rediscovered in Glamorgan
Table Showing Historical Records of Hieracium adelphicum (courtesy D. J. McCosh)
V.C. Locality Recorder Date Herbarium
34 Minchinhampton Common Day, E.M. 3 June 1911 BM 34 Selsley Hill Pugsley, H.W. 13 June 1904 BM 34 Stinchcombe Hill, Dursley Day, E.M. 25 May 1911 BM 35 Wyllie, near Caerphilly Smith, P.A. 31 May 1997 Herb. McCosh 41 Caerphilly, nr Ley, A. June 1906 CGE 41 Pantglas, Lisvane Riddelsdell, H.J. 28 June 1905 BM 41 Pentyrch Riddelsdell, H.J. 25 June 1906 BM 41 Radyr Riddelsdell, H.J. 3 June 1911 NMW 41 Sully Riddelsdell, H.J. 26 June 1906 BM 41 Taffs Well Riddelsdell, H.J. June 1904 BM 41 Sgwd Gwladys Riddelsdell, H.J. June 1904 BM [as Ysgwyd Gwladys]
Vouchers from both sites have been References deposited in the Welsh National Herbarium (NMW). Sell, P.D. & Murrell, G. (2006). Flora of Great Britain and Ireland. We suspect that there could be more V o l u me 4. Ca mb r i d ge plants in South Wales and western University Press, Cambridge. England, and their association with Sudre, H. (1902). Les Hieracium du railways of both current sites indicates centre de la France, d'après les a mechanism for introduction and for types de Jordan et de Boreau. dispersal. Extrait de la Revue du Tarn, 1902.
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 21 ARTICLE EXHIBIT A Collection of Rare Native Plants
ANDREW GORDON SHAW Gofynne, Llanynis, Builth Wells, Powys LD2 3HN
Over fifty rare species from Wales, originally collected from Port Meadow, Scotland, England and Ireland were on Oxfordshire. Whilst many of the display. Most specimens were plant’s features pointed towards Apium exhibited as whole plants growing in repens, John Poland considered that pots. A number of the plants were the leaf shape was not typical and exhibited as picked specimens (from suggested that the specimen may be a A.G. Shaw’s garden) and were small ecotype of Apium nodiflorum. A displayed in vases. Where known, the full determination from the Apium provenance of each specimen was referee has yet to be made. given. Species on display with a Welsh The display generated much provenance included: discussion. Of particular interest was a specimen of Hypericum linariifolium Cardamine impatiens (Radnorshire), (see also image on front cover). A.G. Dianthus armeria (Carmarthenshire), Shaw and H.J. Powell found this plant Dianthus deltoides (Radnorshire), growing on a rock outcrop in Yatt Epilobium lanceolatum (Radnorshire), Wood, Radnorshire on the 17th June Hypericum linariifolium (Radnorshire), 2006. This was the first record for Hypericum montanum (Radnorshire), Radnorshire since 1945. The specimen Luronium natans (Montgomeryshire), on display originated from seed Lychnis viscaria (Radnorshire), collected from the Yatt Wood plants. Pilularia globulifera (Radnorshire), The small stature of the plant and the Potentilla rupestris (Radnorshire), presence of translucent dots on the Rumex rupestris (Anglesey), leaves probably indicate some Scleranthus perennis ssp. perennis hybridising with Hypericum (Radnorshire), humifusum. A full determination from Sorbus leyana (Brecknock), the Hypericum referee has yet to be Sorbus minima (Brecknock), made. The Yatt Wood plants grew on Utricularia minor (Radnorshire), very shallow soil and were killed off Utricularia australis (Radnorshire), by drought shortly after discovery. Vicia orobus (Radnorshire). Despite searches it has not been seen since.
Also the subject of discussion was a specimen of Apium repens that was
22 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 A Collection of Rare Native Plants / Modern Trends in Welsh Grasses at NMW Full list of species on display: glabra, Hypericum linariifolium, Hypericum montanum, Juncus Alisma gramineum, Apium repens, pygmaeus, Limosella aquatica, Arabis alpina, Arabis glabra, Armeria Linnaea borealis, Lonicera xylosteum, maritima ssp. elongata, Artemisia Luronium natans, Lychnis viscaria, norvegica, Carex chordorrhiza, Carex Melittis melissophyllum, Ophioglossum depauperata, Cardamine bulbifera, azoricum, Pilularia globulifera, Cardamine impatiens, Clinopodium Polycarpon tetraphyllum, menthifolium, Cyperus fuscus, Potentilla rupestris, Ranunculus Damasonium alisma, Dianthus ophioglossifolius, Rumex rupestris, armeria, Dianthus deltoides, Draba Saxifraga cernua, Scleranthus perennis aizoides, Eleocharis parvula, ssp. perennis, Scrophularia scordonia, Epilobium lanceolatum, Epipactis Sibthorpia europaea, Sorbus leyana, palustris, Euphorbia serrulata, Sorbus minima, Stachys germanica, Fumaria purpurea, Fumaria Utricularia minor, Utricularia occidentalis, Fumaria parviflora, australis, Vicia orobus, Viola Gastridium ventricosum, Herniaria kitaibeliana. ARTICLE EXHIBIT Modern Trends in Welsh Grasses at NMW GEORGE HUTCHINSON Welsh National Herbarium, Dept of Biodiversity
& Systematic Biology, Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NP
115 taxa comprising 383 specimens of v.c.44 136 specimens of which 27 Welsh Poaceae were collected between aliens. 2000 and 2009 inclusive. Many were v.c.45 Nearly all alien specimens. aliens and the more difficult to identify v.c.46 100 specimens of which 35 taxa. All taxa are listed over the next Festuca ovina det. to subspecies two pages in alphabetical and then and many other critical taxa, number of specimens order. and hybrids. North Wales few of which 40% alien. Some brief vice county notes: Acknowledgements v.c.35 Many Bromus, and Pond Especially to Mr T.B. Ryves (Aliens Survey specimens. and General), Mr L.M. Spalton v.c.41 100 specimens of which many (Bromus), Dr C. Stapleton (Bamboo); aliens, mostly from the Cardiff also to those who have donated grass area and Merthyr Tydfil, and specimens to NMW in recent times. Pond Survey specimens.
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 23 Modern Trends in Welsh Grasses at NMW Specimens Collected (in alphabetical order) 3 Festuca gigantea (L.) Vill. 1 Agrostis canina L. 1 Festuca lemanii Bastard 2 Agrostis capillaris L. 1 Festuca ovina L. 2 Agrostis capillaris L. x A. stolonifera L. 2 Festuca ovina L. ssp. ovina 1 Agrostis castellana Boiss. & Reuter 7 Festuca ovina L. ssp. ophioliticola 2 Agrostis gigantea Roth. 3 Festuca pratensis Huds. 10 Agrostis stolonifera L. 7 Festuca rubra L. 4 Agrostis vinealis Schreb. 1 Festuca rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaudin 1 Aira praecox L. 2 Festuca rubra L. ssp. juncea (Hack.) K.Richt. 2 Alopecurus bulbosus Gouan 2 Festuca rubra L. ssp. megastachys Gaudin 7 Alopecurus geniculatus L. 2 Festuca rubra L. ssp. rubra 6 Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. 4 Glyceria declinata Breb. 3 Anisantha diandra (Roth) Tutin ex Tzvelev 7 Glyceria fluitans (L.) R.Br. 3 Anisantha madritensis (L.) Nevski 3 Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. 10 Anisantha sterilis (L.) Nevski 2 Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. 'Variegata' 2 Apera spica-venti (L.) P.Beauv. 8 Glyceria notata Chevall. 1 Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) P.Beauv. 1 Helictotrichon pratense (L.) Besser 1 Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum 4 Helictotrichon pubescens (Huds.) Pilg. 5 Avena fatua L. 1 Holcus lanatus L. 1 Avena sterilis L. ssp. ludoviciana 1 Holcus mollis L. 1 Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P.Beauv. 1 Hordelymus europeus (L.) Jess. ex Harz 5 Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P. Beauv. 1 Hordeum distichon L. 2 Briza maxima L. 1 Hordeum murinum L. 1 Bromopsis erecta (Huds.) Fourr. 1 Melica altissima L. 1 Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub. 1 Melica nutans L. 2 Bromopsis ramosa (Huds.) Holub 3 Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench 1 Bromus carinatus H. & A. var. marginatus 6 Panicum miliaceum L. 5 Bromus commutatus Schrad. 1 Parapholis incurva (L.) C.E.Hubb. 3 Bromus hordeaceus L. 5 Parapholis strigosa (Dumort.) C.E.Hubb. 1 Bromus hordeaceus L. ssp. ferronii 6 Phalaris arundinacea L. 15 Bromus hordeaceus L. ssp. hordeaceus 2 Phalaris arundinacea L. var. picta 9 Bromus hordeaceus L. ssp. longipedicellatus Spalt. 3 Phalaris canariensis L. 1 Bromus inermis (Leyss.) Holub 2 Phalaris paradoxa L. 1 Bromus interruptus (Hackel) Druce 2 Phleum bertolonii DC. 2 Bromus racemosus L. 5 Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. 3 Bromus secalinus L. 1 Pleioblastus simonsii (Carriere) Nakai 1 Calamagrostis epigejos (L.) Roth 1 Poa annua L. forma purpurea M.L. Grant 5 Catabrosa aquatica (L.) P.Beauv. 6 Poa compressa L. 6 Catapodium marinum (L.) C.E. Hubb. 2 Poa humilis Ehrh. ex Hoffm. 5 Catapodium rigidum (L.) C.E. Hubb. 4 Poa pratensis L. 2 Dactylis glomerata L. 3 Poa trivialis L. 6 Danthonia decumbens (L.) DC. 6 Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. 6 Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. 1 Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr. 1 Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler 1 Pseudosasa japonica 1 Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. 1 Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl. 1 Echinochloa colona (L.) Link 2 Puccinellia maritima (Huds.) Parl. 13 Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. 4 Sasa palmata (Burb.) Camus 1 Echinochloa frumentacea Link 1 Sasaella ramosa (Makino) Makino 4 Elymus caninus (L.) L. 3 Semiarundinaria fastuosa 4 Elytrigia atherica 1 Setaria adhaerens (Forssk.) Chiov. 11 Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex Nevski 1 Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguelen 1 Elytrigia x laxa (Fr.) Kerguelen 7 Setaria pumila (Poir.) Schult. 1 Elytrigia x obtusiuscula (Lange) Hyl. 1 Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv. 8 Elytrigia x oliveri (Druce) Kerguelen ex Carreras 7 Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv. 1 Fargesia murielae (Gamble) T.P. Yi 1 Stipa tenuissima Trin. 6 Fargesia nitida (Stapf) Keng f. 5 Vulpia bromoides (L.) Gray 2 Festuca arenaria Osbeck 3 Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C.Gmel. 8 Festuca arundinacea Schreb. 1 Zea mays L.
24 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 Modern Trends in Welsh Grasses at NMW Specimens Collected (in order of no. of specimens) 2 Bromopsis ramosa (Huds.) Holub 15 Bromus hordeaceus L. ssp. hordeaceus 2 Bromus racemosus L. 13 Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P.Beauv. 2 Dactylis glomerata L. 11 Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex Nevski 2 Festuca arenaria Osbeck 10 Agrostis stolonifera L. 2 Festuca ovina L. ssp. ovina 10 Anisantha sterilis (L.) Nevski 2 Festuca rubra L. ssp. juncea (Hack.) K.Richt. 9 Bromus hordeaceus L. ssp. longipedicellatus Spalt. 2 Festuca rubra L. ssp. megastachys Gaudin 8 Elytrigia x oliveri (Druce) Kerguelen ex Carreras 2 Festuca rubra L. ssp. rubra 8 Festuca arundinacea Schreb. 2 Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. 'Variegata' 8 Glyceria notata Chevall. 2 Phalaris arundinacea L. var. picta 7 Alopecurus geniculatus L. 2 Phalaris paradoxa L. 7 Festuca ovina L. ssp. ophioliticola 2 Phleum bertolonii DC. 7 Festuca rubra L. 2 Poa humilis Ehrh. ex Hoffm. 7 Glyceria fluitans (L.) R.Br. 2 Puccinellia maritima (Huds.) Parl. 7 Setaria pumila (Poir.) Schult. 1 Agrostis canina L. 7 Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv. 1 Agrostis castellana Boiss. & Reuter 6 Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. 1 Aira praecox L. 6 Catapodium marinum (L.) C.E. Hubb. 1 Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) P.Beauv. 6 Danthonia decumbens (L.) DC. 1 Arrhenatherum elatius var. bulbosum 6 Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) P.Beauv. 1 Avena sterilis L. ssp. ludoviciana 6 Fargesia nitida (Stapf) Keng f. 1 Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P.Beauv. 6 Panicum miliaceum L. 1 Bromopsis erecta (Huds.) Fourr. 6 Phalaris arundinacea L. 1 Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub. 6 Poa compressa L. 1 Bromus carinatus H. & A. var. marginatus 6 Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. 1 Bromus hordeaceus L. ssp. ferronii 5 Avena fatua L. 1 Bromus inermis (Leyss.) Holub 5 Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P. Beauv. 1 Bromus interruptus (Hackel) Druce 5 Bromus commutatus Schrad. 1 Calamagrostis epigejos, (L.) Roth 5 Catabrosa aquatica (L.) P.Beauv. 1 Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler 5 Catapodium rigidum (L.) C.E. Hubb. 1 Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. 5 Parapholis strigosa (Dumort.) C.E.Hubb. 1 Echinochloa colona (L.) Link 5 Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. 1 Echinochloa frumentacea Link 5 Vulpia bromoides (L.) Gray 1 Elytrigia x laxa (Fr.) Kerguelen 4 Agrostis vinealis Schreb. 1 Elytrigia x obtusiuscula (Lange) Hyl. 4 Elymus caninus (L.) L. 1 Fargesia murielae (Gamble) T.P. Yi 4 Elytrigia atherica 1 Festuca lemanii Bastard 4 Glyceria declinata Breb. 1 Festuca ovina L. 4 Helictotrichon pubescens (Huds.) Pilg. 1 Festuca rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaudin 4 Poa pratensis L. 1 Helictotrichon pratense (L.) Besser 4 Sasa palmata (Burb.) Camus 1 Holcus lanatus L. 3 Anisantha diandra (Roth) Tutin ex Tzvelev 1 Holcus mollis L. 3 Anisantha madritensis (L.) Nevski 1 Hordelymus europeus (L.) Jess. ex Harz 3 Bromus hordeaceus L. 1 Hordeum distichon L. 3 Bromus secalinus L. 1 Hordeum murinum L. 3 Festuca gigantea (L.) Vill. 1 Melica altissima L. 3 Festuca pratensis Huds. 1 Melica nutans L. 3 Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. 1 Paraphoclis inurva (L.) C.E.Hubb. 3 Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench 1 Pleioblastus simonsii (Carriere) Nakai 3 Phalaris canariensis L. 1 Poa annua L. forma purpurea M.L.Grant 3 Poa trivialis L. 1 Polypogon viridis (Gouan) Breistr. 3 Semiarundinaria fastuosa 1 Pseudosasa japonica 3 Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C.Gmel. 1 Puccinellia distans (Jacq.) Parl. 2 Agrostis capillaris L. 1 Sasaella ramosa (Makino) Makino 2 Agrostis capillaris L. x A. stolonifera L. 1 Setaria adhaerens (Forssk.) Chiov. 2 Agrostis gigantea Roth. 1 Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguelen 2 Alopecurus bulbosus Gouan 1 Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv. 2 Apera spica-venti (L.) P.Beauv. 1 Stipa tenuissima Trin. 2 Briza maxima L. 1 Zea mays L.
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 25 ARTICLE EXHIBIT Carex × deserta : A Rare Hybrid of the Atlantic Biogeographic Zone
R.A. JONES c/o Countryside Council for Wales, Welsh Assembly Government Building, Rhodfa Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3UR The hybrid sedge Carex × deserta (and near my regular route between Merino seems to be very rare in Britain Aberystwyth and Bangor). Even better, and Ireland (with only two recorded Arthur Chater had made an sites) although its parents, C. binervis exceptionally detailed sketch map of and C. laevigata, are both widespread the area where he found the two and often grow together. The first original plants (see image on page 28). record of Carex × deserta, made by Unfortunately, these searches were Arthur Chater in 1961, was from Ffridd unsuccessful, despite finding abundant yr Erw, near Tremadog, C. binervis and scattered C. laevigata Caernarfonshire, where he found two and most of the species originally non fertile plants. The second record recorded for the site. If it was not was found by Ian Green on Dunkery overlooked, the hybrid seems to have Beacon, Exmoor (v.c. 5) in 1999 disappeared here, perhaps through (Green, 1999); in this case, apparently, natural mortality, perhaps as a result of with a low degree of fertility (Jermy et management practices, such as grazing. al., 2007). Fortunately, the status of C. × deserta Native hybrids were included, for the was raised at a Plantlink Cymru first time, in the new Vascular Plant meeting attended by Rod Gritten (the Red Data List for Great Britain retiring Snowdonia National Park (Cheffings & Farrell, 2005) and C. × Ecologist), who decided to revisit the deserta was assigned the IUCN Threat site in June 2009 with his successor, Category “Vulnerable” on the basis of Dafydd Roberts. After also failing to its very restricted occurrence. It was discover the hybrid in its historic site, not, however, included in the first Red Rod took a lateral approach and cast Data List for Wales (Dines, 2007) and around for suitable habitat. Without the Caernarfonshire population seems any published information on the to have attracted no further interest ecology of C. × deserta, he looked out after the original record. In view of this for anything unusual. The site is classic uncertainty and a general lack of “ffridd”, a mixture of bracken, acid information about the hybrid, I made a grassland, gorse and heath with series of exploratory visits to the v.c. scattered trees (mainly hawthorn and 49 site for C. × deserta between May rowan), rock outcrops and flushed and September 2008. Fortunately, the areas. Ffridd is increasingly seen as a locality is right next to a minor road habitat category in its own right, for
26 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 Carex x deserta : A Rare Hybrid of the Atlantic Biogeographic Zone example in the proposed 'Glastir' agri hybridisation in this section of Carex environment prescriptions. Rod noticed and debate exists about whether both an ash tree on a small cliff nearby species even belong to the same which he thought might indicate section. Recent work indicates, differing geology and, approaching it, however, that C. × deserta can arise found that the outcrop had indeed been when certain chromosome races of C. quarried previously for some rock or laevigata and C. binervis coincide, mineral. Next to this Rod and Dafydd perhaps with a geographic element found at least three large clumps of a (Luceño & Castroviejo, 1991). C. sedge intermediate in appearance laevigata, in particular, has a range of between C. laevigata and C. binervis, ploidy levels (from 2n = 69 to 2n = 80) on the edge of a Molinia-dominated that increase from north to south down flush. These plants fitted the new its narrow Atlantic or 'Temperate description of C. × deserta in Jermy et Oceanic' distribution, from Scotland to al., 2008 and were subsequently southern Spain (Morocco?). This is confirmed from specimens by Arthur slightly unexpected, as southern Spain Chater. is the probable source for ancestral populations and a higher chromosome Quite probably, as Rod inferred, the number is generally thought to be a presence of C. × deserta at Ffridd yr derived character. Erw is linked to this geology and / or disturbance history. The species list Carex × deserta was found at one site includes fairly base demanding plants, in northern Portugal, with a C. such as Phegopteris connectilis, C. laevigata cytotype termed “unstable n flacca and Carex hostiana (the latter = 36” (2n = 72) and a 'typical' 2n = 74 recorded in 1961 but not refound in C. binervis. This is interesting because 2008 9) . On the 'mine' workings the one non Iberian population of C. beside C. × deserta there was a small laevigata sampled for this study was population of C. pallescens, which was from Llanbedrog, Llŷn (about 25 km not found in the local vicinity. At the WSW of Ffridd yr Erw) and this had a same time genetic factors must also be chromosome count of 2n = 71, involved in the appearance of this deviating from the previously recorded hybrid. The newly discovered C. × (“stable”) 2n = 72 (Davies, 1956). This deserta and the plants c.300 m away aneuploid number and the hybrid evidently came from quite a prolific occurrence nearby (and in Exmoor) seed source. This might suggest that at could indicate affinities between least one plant of C. laevigata or C. certain C. laevigata populations in binervis was especially receptive to the west Britain and others towards the other's pollen. south of its range.
There is relatively little information on As with many sedge hybrids, there is
BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 27 Carex x deserta : A Rare Hybrid of the Atlantic Biogeographic Zone considerable room for research. It is Dines, T.D. (2008). A Vascular Plant also a possibility that C. × deserta Red Data List for Wales (Rhestr o could be overlooked in suitable habitat Blanhigion Fasgwlaidd Data Goch ar elsewhere. At Ffridd yr Erw the best gyfer Cymru). Plantlife, Salisbury. field character was the sexual sterility of specimens (the stamens remaining Green, I. (1999). 1999 Exmoor tightly enclosed within the glumes and Somerset 29 June One Day Meeting. no ripe fruits discovered) but this Wild Flower Society Magazine might not be absolute (Jermy et. al., (original accessed online at http:// 2007) and is also a subject for closer www.thewildflowersociety) study. Jermy, A.C., Simpson, D.A., Foley, References M.J.Y. & Porter, M.S. (2007). Sedges Cheffings, C.M. & Farrell, L. (Eds) of the British Isles, BSBI Handbooks (2005). The Vascular Plant Red Data No. 1 (Edn. 3). Botanical Society of the List for Great Britain. JNCC, British Isles, London. Peterborough. Luceño, M. & Castroviejo, S. (1991). Davies, E.W (1956). Some new Agmatoploidy in Carex laevigata chromosome numbers in the (Cyperaceae). Plant Systematics & Cyperaceae. Watsonia 3: 242 243. Evolution 177 (3 4): 149 59.
An extract from A.O. Chater's field notes of the first record of Carex × deserta from Britain and Ireland.
28 BSBI Welsh Bulletin No. 85 January 2010 PLANTLIFE WALES NEWSLETTER No.10
Trevor Dines Plantlife Wales Conservation Manager, c/o Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Ffordd Penrhos, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2LQ. [email protected] (tel: 01248 387396)
The Ghost Orchid Declaration charismatic birds and animals. Our As Britain's only conservation charity flora is the least protected, invested in dedicated to saving wild plants and and acknowledged part of our wildlife. their habitats, Plantlife has a strong Yet plants are the fundamental building campaigning role. Unlike our action to blocks of all ecosystems if plants and conserve species on the ground, our fungi are doing well, everything else policy work normally sits behind the has a much better chance of surviving. scenes, being conducted in meetings If we get their conservation right, all with government and a wide range of other wildlife has a much better chance other agencies and environmental of flourishing. The Declaration tackles organisations. Such policy work three key issues that we believe need includes consultations on the new urgent attention and offers some Glastir agri environment scheme, the practical solutions to securing plant release of invasive non native species conservation in the future. into the wild, and the new BAP framework for Wales. Why the worry? In Great Britain, one in five of our These are of course all essential, but vascular plants is threatened with are not exactly agenda setting. Given extinction. This alarming figure has the upcoming elections and the need to been criticised in the past and requires put plants and fungi at the centre of some justification. It is not plucked conservation once more, Plantlife from the air but based on the Vascular launched the Ghost Orchid Declaration Plant Red Data List published by in the Houses of Parliament in October JNCC in 2005. This list has been (www.plantlife.org.uk). This is updated (see www.jncc.gov.uk/page essentially a manifesto for plants, a 1752) following the initial assessment clear statement of facts to show how of risk to our flora by a panel of 10 plants have become marginalised in the expert botanists from BSBI, JNCC, the UK conservation scene today. Many Country Agencies and Plantlife. Of the people no longer look at plants as 2176 taxa currently assessed, 45 wildlife in their own right, but as a sort (2.1%) are Critically Endangered, 101 of attractive backdrop to our more (4.6%) are Endangered and 307 2 Plantlife Wales Newsletter No. 10 (14.1%) are Vulnerable. This gives Carmarthenshire (24 species since 20.8% of taxa under threat, or just over 1800) and Cardiganshire (21 species one in five. since 1800).
In Wales, the situation is slightly How do these levels of threat compare better. Using the Red Data List to other taxonomic groups? Red Data compiled by Plantlife Wales and BSBI Lists are not available for all groups, so in 2008, of the 1467 taxa currently another way of looking at the situation assessed, 50 (3.4%) are Critically is to compare the number of species Endangered, 64 (4.4%) are Endangered selected as UK Biodiversity Action and 142 (9.7%) are Vulnerable. This Plan priority species. The new lists, gives 17.5% of taxa under threat, or published in 2008, clearly show that just over one in four. there are more plants and fungi of conservation concern than any other Extinctions are another way to look at group (see figure 1, page 3). the threats facing our flora. In Great Britain, 26 species (1.2%) have Key Issue 1: Investment in plants become extinct since 1804. In Wales, Despite the large proportion of 38 species (2.6%) are recorded as threatened plants and fungi and the fact extinct since 1800. This higher figure that they form the fundamental reflects the fact that species are building blocks of all habitats, they are steadily disappearing from across our not proportionally represented by landscape, but these losses show up conservation resources. If expenditure first when looking at a smaller area by JNCC and the specialist charities in (Wales being smaller than GB). Taking 2008 was shared amongst the relevant this a step further, the loss of species BAP species, the graph above would from individual vice counties is appear as shown in (see figure 2, page sometimes even more alarming. In 3). some intensively farmed English vice counties, such as Northamptonshire, This is obviously a very crude way of Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire, representing reality, but it does prove a around one species was recorded is genuine point. Conservation resources being lost every year in the period are focused on vertebrates. In order to 1900 1995. Wales, being less redress this imbalance, and given the intensively farmed, fares better with limitations of these financially difficult Monmouthshire topping the league times, we are therefore calling for having lost 72 species since recording governments, agencies, conservation began in the county. Caernarfonshire organisations, councils and trusts to has lost 55 species since 1800 and plant-proof all biodiversity projects. Anglesey 54, but other counties have This means that before any wildlife low extinction rates, such as project or work is funded or Plantlife Wales Newsletter No. 10 3
Figure 1 : Number of BAP species / Taxonomic Group (see text page 2)
Figure 2 : Resources expended as a proportion of BAP species (£K) Taxonomic Group (see text page 2) 4 Plantlife Wales Newsletter No. 10 undertaken the needs of native wild to put more resources into the plants is taken into account, given management and monitoring of SSSIs. equal priority and considered as the We very much welcome CCWs Upland long term and sustainable solution to Framework a 100 year vision for the welfare of all other wildlife. It's a management of upland SSSIs in Wales matter of everyone talking and would like this model to be responsibility for plants and a extended to other habitats. We also reallocation of existing resources to welcome initiatives such as the reflect where the genuine priorities lie. reduction of grazing from upland sites such as Cwm Idwal and the Carneddau Key Issue 2: Protection for Plants and again hope that such schemes can The protected sites network (including be initiated elsewhere. SSSIs, NNRs and SACs) is failing wild plants. There is currently no Key Issue 3: Working Landscapes requirement for protected sites to The vast majority of our lowland and protect BAP priority species that occur upland landscape is either farmed or on them, unless if they are scheduled forested. Grasslands, arable fields, as named features of the site. Across heathlands, moorlands and woodlands the country, plants and fungi on SSSIs are the backbone of our countryside are suffering from poor understanding, and where most of our wildlife finds a monitoring and management. Llyn home. Balancing the needs of wildlife Cwm Bychan in Merionethshire, for and productivity is challenging and all example, was scheduled for its too often wildlife comes second. Agri population of Lycopodiella inundata, environment schemes are of course the but a lack of grazing led to the species main mechanism to protect and restore demise and it has not been recorded wildlife in the wider countryside. As there since 1999. Although CCW we saw in the last edition of the Welsh figures indicate that 64% of plant and Bulletin, Tir Gofal is largely failing to fungi features on SSSIs are in protect priority plant species: the favourable condition, most habitat scheme is delivering just 84ha of features are in unfavourable condition. uncropped fallow margin (the most Thus just 22% of acid grassland, 20% beneficial prescription for arable plant of calcareous grassland, 19% of neutral species), and of over 120 sites in Wales grassland and 14% of dwarf shrub for priority heathland plants, just two heath are in favourable condition. The are covered by Tir Gofal agreements status of bog and dunes is especially with heathland prescriptions. Plantlife dire, with just 7% and 6% in is undertaking more detailed favourable condition respectively. monitoring of the scheme at the moment (thanks to a partnership with CCW and their partners are addressing RSPB and other conservation this situation, but we urge Government organisations) so we'll have a better Plantlife Wales Newsletter No. 10 5 assessment of the situation on the 50% since 1994 and woodland ground soon, but it's clear that unless butterfly populations by 74% since all prescriptions deliver the needs of 1990. plants (another case for plant proofing) and that these prescriptions are taken The main problem with our wider up in the right places, the scheme will countryside is that we have lost the largely fail, not just for plants but for diversity of management that leads to a all wildlife. diversity of wildlife. When Galeopsis segetum (Downy hemp Nettle) was last The new agri environment scheme for recorded from a farm near Bangor, Wales, Glastir, is being drawn up at the Gwynedd in 1975, a local farmer's moment. Given the level of daughter recalled how each small farm consultation over the entry level had fields of oats, barley and potatoes, prescriptions and the design of the as well as pasture for livestock and higher level scheme with CCW and woodland for fuel and fodder. conservation organisations we are Mourning the loss of the hemp nettle, confident that the new scheme has the she added, "of course, there were red potential to deliver. The problem will squirrels and corncrake around here in be sufficient resources being available those days too". Today the whole farm, to encourage farmers into the scheme. like so many in the area and throughout Wales, bears a mantle of permanent, Woodlands represent another challenge improved pasture. in our productive landscape. We increasingly see our woodlands fenced The Ghost Orchid off and left unmanaged, resulting in a Although the Ghost Orchid Declaration closure of the forest canopy. In Britain, contains messages for everyone, it is the proportion of continuous canopy aimed primarily at politicians and has increased from 51% in 1947 to policy makers. In order to give the 97% in 2002. As formerly report a memorable and evocative title, commonplace activities such as we chose the Ghost Orchid as an coppicing become largely extinct at a emblem. With no sightings for 23 landscape level, the traditional mosaic years, this had been classified as of woodland habitats successional Extinct by the JNCC convened panel coppice, open glades and forest rides of botanical experts that published the has become replaced by dark, bramble Red Data List. It cannot be grown in a ridden woodland which is unable to botanical garden and its seeds cannot support a wide diversity of wildlife. be stored in a deep freezer. It thus Not only have plants, such as represented the loss of species that Campanula patula (Spreading depend on a living landscape that is Bellflower), suffered as a result, but managed sympathetically for plants. key woodland birds have declined by This is the focus of the Declaration 6 Plantlife Wales Newsletter No. 10 providing the right conditions for Orchid and its potential for native plants in our countryside today. reappearance, but we never imagined it By a frightening coincidence, news of would coincide so precisely. However, the reappearance of the Ghost Orchid it remains our rarest and most in Herefordshire reached us the day enigmatic species and one plant doesn't after our report was launched. constitute a recovery, so it remains a Hindsight is a marvellous thing; we did fitting emblem for our call to arms for consider carefully the use of Ghost the conservation of our wild plants.
Images on opposite page : Above : Glandular pedicels and involucral bracts of Hieracium adelphicum © T.C.G. Rich. (see pages 20 21) Below : Diffuse inflorescence of Hieracium adelphicum © T.C.G. Rich. (see pages 20 21)
Images on the back cover : Two contrasting grasslands in the Elan Valley visited as part of the 2009 Builth Wells AGM © R.D. Pryce (see pages 11 14 for abstracts of the exhibits shown at this meeting)