BSBI News January 2010 No. 113 Edited by Trevor James & Gwynn Ellis Ghost Orchid (Epipogium aphyllum), in Epipogium aphyllum (Ghost Orchid) in v.c.36. Buckinghamshire (v.c.24) in 1986, a year Photo T.C.G. Rich © 2009 (see p. 7) before it was seemingly lost from the site. Photo R. Bateman © 1986 (see p. 9) Mutant Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) nr Aveley Ophrys apifera in Galloway (v.c.73). (v.c.18). Photo P. Smith © 2007 (see p. 19) Photo A. Barbour © 2009 (see p. 20) Orobanche lucorum in St Andrews Botanic Conyza canadensis (Canadian Fleabane) hec- Garden (v.c.85). Photo R. Cormack © 2000 tad distribution map from BSBI website. See (see p. 57) text (p. 88) for details Orobanche lucorum by Sports Centre in St Andrews Botanic Garden (v.c.85). Photo R. Cormack © 1985 (see p. 57) Former Agrosto-Festucetum grassland, now almost pure Cotula alpina (v.c.65). Photo L. Robinson © 2009 (see p. 53) Cotula alpina showing flowering stems beside track Cotula alpina Polbain, Wester Ross on Kirkby Malzeard Moor, Yorks. Photo L. Robinson (v.c.105). Photo A. White © 2009 © 2009 (see p. 52) (see p. 54) CONTENTS Michael Walpole FCA.............................M. Briggs 2 Small Project Grant Reports Editorial.................................................................. 3 Morphological variation and spatial separation Notes of two races of Cerastium nigrescens New molecular classification: relevance to the .........................S.Dalrymple & C. Chambers 45 flora of the British Isles..................C.A. Stace 4 Botany in Literature Haunted Herefordshire: the “Ghost” reappears in 52 - On the purpose of books...........E.C. Nelson 46 Britain..............................................P. Garner 7 53 - Marine Botany in literature: George Eliot’s The Ilfracombe Journal – Algae – is Ghost Orchid illustrates why the term ‘extirpation’ Phycology all at sea?..............M.É. Souchier 48 is element of plant conservation...R. Bateman 8 Spud, or spud?............................R.A. Nicholson 51 Phytophthora ramorum and P. kernoviae in Aliens Scotland............L. Mackinlay & J. McIntosh 11 Cotula alpina in v.cc.62, 64, 65, new to Monotropa – acorrection....................P. Abbott 12 Britain and Europe.....................L. Robinson 52 Tubular Water-dropwort on the Sefton Coast sand- First known record of Cotula alpina in Scotland,: dunes, Merseyside........................P.H. Smith 13 v.c.105..............................................A. White 54 Bisexuality in Salix ×friesiana on the Sefton Coast Landoltia punctata takes another step..J.H. Bratton 55 (v.c.59).........................................P.H. Smith 18 Solanum triflorum (Small Nightshade) new Mutant Bee Orchid...............................M. Smith 19 to v.c.59 and the Sefton Coast......P.H. Smith 56 Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid) in The Stewartry of Orobanche lucorum (Barberry Broomrape) in Fife (v.c.85).........................G.H. Ballantyne 57 Kirkcudbright!.............................A. Barbour 20 Alien plants near Thruxton (v.c.12)..A. Mundell 58 Anthoxanthum nitens (Hierochloe odorata (Holy- Fraxinus ornus (Manna Ash) in v.c.29.A. Leslie 59 grass): a habitat correction.............R. Corner 20 Untangling the climbers – Parthenocissus Meadow restoration works and arable plants at quinquefolia & P. inserta.............J.C. David 60 Ferndown LNR, Clayton, (v.c.39).W. Waller 21 Lagurus ovatus (Hare’s-tail) with secondary Lycopodium annotinum growing on fallen Pinus intravaginal inflorescences.................A. Idle 62 sylvestris in Abernethy Forest....A. Amphlett 22 The colour of the petals of Malva (Lavatera) cretica Giving a Co. Carlow hawkweed a little helping (Smaller Tree-mallow)......................E. Pratt 63 hand.............................................P.R. Green 23 Requests & offers Juncus acutiflorus –a disappearing act?.A. Hannah 23 A new fully interactive key to the British flora – Limonium recurvum in v.c.52............E.I.S. Rees 24 photos wanted.................................J. Poland 64 On the flora of railway banks...........R.M. Payne 25 Suffolk survey – help needed for a book. C. Jacobs 64 B & B in Central France.....................D. Barker 64 Roadside botany.................................S.J. Leach 25 Gofynne seed list 2010..........................A. Shaw 65 Glaux maritima (Sea-milkwort) as a roadside BSBI News copies on offer.................C.. Jacobs 65 halophyte...................................M. Robinson 26 Notices Gonocarpus – a native of Ireland with a bipolar Ashmolean Nat. Hist.Soc. of Oxfordshire: distribution................................E.J. Clement 26 Group Identification Courses, 2010.............. 65 Hands-free magnifier.............................E. Pratt 27 Wild Gladiolus in Britain: past, present and Inland Epipactis dunensis......................M. Lynes 28 future one day conference, New Forest........ 66 Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin)......D. Pearman 30 Excursion to Almería - April 2010......T. Farino 66 Ophrys sphegodes (Early Spider Orchid) count in Field meeting reports: 2009........................... 67-84 Dorset................................................E. Pratt 31 Book Notes - Sacred trees and bushes of Ireland. 84 Waveney Forest saved from gravel extraction Obituary notes......................................M. Briggs 85 .......................................................C. Jacobs 32 Recorders and Recording Snippets from v.c.24 ...R. Maycock & A. Woods 33 Panel of Referees and Specialists. M.C. Sheahan 85 Hell Kettles – a forgotten corner.........F. Sarker 35 Cotoneasters for determination..............J. Fryer 86 Chemically-induced colour changes in three Panel of Vice-county Recorders............D. Pearman 86 diverse angiosperm species.............J. Oliver 38 Scottish V.c.Recorder Vacancies.....J. McIntosh 87 Paniculate plantains..........................R.A. Dawes 39 BSBI website hectad distribution maps, ‘oldest on top’........................M. Braithwaite 88 Ciba-Geigy Weed Tables........................A. Hale 40 AEM: vegetative ID quiz.....................J. Poland 89 Re-introduction of Cypripedium calceolus: update Notes from the Officers ........................................................P. Abbott 41 From the Hon. General Secretary....D. Pearman 89 Dorset Flora Grp and Wild Flower Week...E. Pratt 41 From the Head of R. & D....................K.Walker 90 Botany on the Internet.........................J. Poland 42 Conservation action for plants in Scotland Conservation ..................................J. McIntosh & D. Long 92 The vascular plant red data list for Great Britain: Coordinator's Corner.........................A. Lockton 93 year 2 amendments.......................S.J. Leach 43 Diary...................................................................... 95 Deadline for contribution to News 114............... 95 2 Michael Walpole / Cover picture caption MICHAEL WALPOLE FCA MARY BRIGGS, 9 Arun Prospect, Pulborough, West Sussex, RH20 1AL As we go to press we learn with deep regret owned collection in Britain. We would of the death of Michael Walpole, after a then have the privilege of admiring his new long battle with cancer. There will be an find, and sharing his pleasure in this, often Obituary in Watsonia. a very tiny book, before the business of the Mike was Hon. Treasurer of BSBI from meeting began. 1971 until 1997, and during those years he We are grateful to Chris Boon for the was the father figure to the Society and following note on Mike’s funeral. BSBI activities. When the time-consuming A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of task of membership Secretary became too Mike Walpole took place on 22 December much for a voluntary Hon. Officer, and 2009 at Emmanuel Church, Loughborough. after our first commercial replacement plan The BSBI was represented by Richard proved unsatisfactory, Mike took on this Gornall, John Bailey and Chris Boon. problem, setting up a programme on his As part of the service some “Memories of new computer. With this he was Member- Mike” were given in a presentation by his ship Secretary for many years until 2003. son Chris. He told of his father’s love of In 1991 Mike was elected as an Honorary the countryside and natural history, in Member of BSBI, and apart from being on particular botany. There were many Council for all the years that he was Treas- searches as a family for rare and unusual urer, he was also Chairman or a member of species – a particular story related to many of the Committees including: BSBI Lady’s-slipper Orchid which is to be found Co-ordinating, later the Executive in its only natural site at *****. After an Committee, the Publications Committee, unsuccessful hunt the family sat down to Chairman 1991-1997, and the Committees enjoy a well-earned picnic and caused the for the Welch Bequest, the BSBI Database warden to rush from his tent to remonstrate (Leicester), and the Warburg Fund. Mike with Mike that they had chosen the exact was also BSBI Referee for Herbals and location of the plant (probably a bit too Local Floras of the British Isles, and he near) to spread their rug. Luckily no gave a memorable lecture on early local damage was done – the plant had yet to Floras at the BSBI Conference on Local appear! Chris also told of the honour that Floras held in Liverpool in 1991. Mike and Ann felt to represent the BSBI at I recall Mike coming to London for many a Buckingham Palace Garden Party. Also meetings and often he would have spent a mentioned was the book hunting side to little time on the way hunting down some Mike’s