Shropshire Botanical Society Newsletter Autumn 2009, No. 19

The Shropshire Botanical Society Newsletter

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Front Cover Photograph Silene gallica

lolnd at Bryn Mawr (see field outing report, page 9 and botanical recording, page

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(Photo by Fiona Gomersall) Inside back cover photogEphs Lathruea

squanatia Toothwod

(Sec ficld outing report Page 7)

Outside back cover photogmphs

The cemetery at Bridgnorth before and after treatment of bracken (See field outing report, page 7)

The Shropshire Botanical Society Newsletter Number 19 - Autumn 2009 CONTENTS Chairman's welcome ...

.

Edrlor'r inlroduclion...

The Spring

. newslener. . .. .... .. .. .....

Membership..............

Coming meetings........

..

.

The Society's past year...

The ne\l newJellcr....

Field ouring repoits 2009 Botanical Recording 200819

.. .. -

.-- ...

List of contributors of records 2008/9 .

l/ .rs

in Skop.hi'e.....

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J,n.,r.

I

ol members. ............

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..

..

t2

..

l3

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in Shrop.hire

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Contacts Editor: Donald Briggs, Worsley, Alt Stretton. Chuch Stretton' SY6 6JP' E-mail donaldbiggs@worsfarm.co uk Secretary:

Fiona Gomersall,4 LowerDown, Lydbury North, SY7 8BB' Tel 01588 680693. E-mail fiona@eadstudio4.co.uk Membership Secretary: M*k Doff"ll, 19 Co-pton Mews, Ford, Shewsbury' SY5 9NX' Tel 01?43 851084. E-mail mark@duffellT.wanadooco.uk Society Website: http://www.bsbi.org uk/html/shropshire.htrnl Past copies of the Newsletter are available as pdf files ftom the site

Anyopinionsexpressedinthenewslettelarethoseofthevariousautholsandaronotnecessarilythose of the Society.

Copyright belongs either to the contributo$ or the Shrcpshire Botanical Society

The Chairman's Welcome Dan Wrench

Welcome to the all ncw Autumn newsletter. Don Biggs has very kindly oflered to take on the editing and production of the newslettcr. We now all need to come up with good material to fill it.

On behalf of the Society I would like to say a huge thank-you to our departinS cditor, Alex Lockton, for producing such a fantaslic series of publications over the last 9 years.

Editor's Introduction An Tntroduction from Your New Editor May I introduce myselfas your new newsletter editor? I am a retired biology teacher with a life-long intcrest in wild-life and the environment. My degrees in Scicnce, Zoology and Botany date ftom antediluvian times and I realise how out of-date I am when I allocate a plant to Compositae or enthusi astically rcfcr the Spring show of E d)m ion non'scriptus! Ho$levei, I hopc that a sound background knowledge and my dedicated interest in the environmen! will be helpful in overseeing the prcduction of your newsletter.I am very proud to have the opportunity to suppon the excellent work that is going on regarding the flora of Shropshire- We arc foflunate to have the support ofcxccllent academics, staff from applied environmental instit[tions and numcrous talented and knowledgeable people in the field ofbotany, bolh amateurs and professionals.It will be my intention the retain the accuracy and reliability ofour rcspected journal and to try to continue tbe tradition ofodginal articlcs that make it something of a resourcc.If,like me, you consider yoursclfa keen and interested admirer of nature with a wonder of its diversity and have a fascination for our plants, do sharc with other members your own knowlcdge, experiences, photogEphs and anecdotes - much ofwhich will be invaluable in keeping us all in touch with botany in Sfuopshire. I will welcome submissions of material for the newsletter from you all.

I will be very grateful for your views and comments and I hope you will let me have any idcas for the futue as well as any constructive criticisms regarding the newsletter. Please do contact me by post at SBS Newslctter Editor, worsley, All Strctton, Church Stretton, SY6 6JP or by e-mail on donald.biggs@worsfdrm.co.uk Donald (Don!) Briggs. October 2009.

Members'Matters The Silent Spring No, not Rachel Caison's awful prediction, but .r r silent spring! You may have been wondcring where your Spring Issue ofthe Newslctter had got to. The Committce give their Profound apologies for both its absence and their silence. The survey of the Flora ofThe Stiperstones has been completed and we were hopingthat that valuable resource would be sent to you in the stead ofthe Spring Issue of the Newsletter. However, delays in its completion and neSotiations over its printing overtook us! We are gratcful to Natural England for agreeing to publish the survey and fhis should be out soon and, as a member, you will receivc a frce copy.

So, despite our silence, we have been beavcring away keeping the Society 8oin8 with regular committee meetings and work in the field. we offer our apologies ifyou were not fully appraiscd

of

the anangcd field outings. Wc year with plenty of notice.

will

ensure that you always have a

full list ofevcnts fbr the cominS

Membership On pagc l? of the newslctter you will find a culrenl list of members. Pleasc check when your membership cxpires. It has alrcady expired if an asterisk appears beside you namc! However' we always allow you time to renew. We do hope you will let Mrrk Duffell h ve yourrcnewa! subscription

,oon.sub\criltion\drcIl0dyeJrorI20 lorlhreeleJrsanddreJueonJdnuar) l''

If you know of any interested folk, do encourage them tojoin us. Joining al any time ofyenr Sivcs c full membership until December 3l"' (or Decembcr 31" two years later), and includcs all publications already issued to members duing the curcnt the year.

Your Committee Thc following officcrs and committcc members werc clected or returncd unopposed at the 2009 Annual Gcncral Meeting on March 29rh at Preston Montford.

. . . . . . . .

Chair

Dan wrench Secrctary Fiona Gomersall Trcasurer - Mags Cousins Mcmbership Secrelary - Mark Duffcll Newsletter Editor Donald BriSgs

Wcbsite and databasc manager Alcx Lockton John Handley Maurice Hoare

Coning Meetings Chrishas Meeting, a social event, wilh speaker. festive mince pies. tea. coffcc and shenv. evervone welcome.

Salurday l2th Deccnber.2'4pm, in the Darwin I-rb ofPreston Montford Ficld Centre. Montford Bridge' Shrewsbury, SY4 lDX. Anyone olfering or requiring a lift please conlacl Fiona Gomersrll The Annual Gcncral meeting will be held at Prcston Montford Ficld Centre between 2 and 4 pm. on April 1 I'h 20 10. Besides the usual bus iness of thc mceting we will havc a guest speakcr chosen for lhcir expetise in botanical malters.

Does anyonc know of any good speakers whom we might invitc to one ofour mcctings? Do let Fiona or any other committee member know if you have suggestions.

Field outings will be arrangcd and we will bc letting you know including dales and times- If you have any ideas lor an interesting ouling and/or would bc witling to lead an outing, do pleasc let us have your suggestions.

The Society's Past Year Secretary Fions Gomersall says how rewarding and enjoyable the field outings have been this year and we look forward to inviting more people who are interested ncxt year' She points out how Sood thc lottery fundcd FSC Biodiversity Training courscs are in encoumging new or developing botanisls

to record, voluntecr for organizations and futher their knowledge by attcnding courses at the Gateway and the FSC centres.

Chairman Dan Wrench remarks that wc have had an exceptional yeff for rccording lhis year with over 25,000 records generared due to thc cffons ofPaul ard Ian Green and other members ofthe Socicly who look on under-recorded telrads ormonads in lhe county. Herbarium @ Home conlinues to producc uscful records fbr Shropshire and has reccnlly bcen awardâ‚Źd f2000 from ihe Open University led Opal projccl lo photograph

addilional collections-

Our AGM. After a smooth and swift enaction of the mccting's business, we were treated to a fascinating, illustntcd talk on his forlhcoming Flora ofBirmingham and thc Black Country by Profcssor Ian Trueman, upon whom the Socicty conferred honorary life membership at the mccting.

A Reminder ...

Your Contributions to the newsletter are invited be out i! April 2010. Plcasc send me notes. anecdotes. adicles. photogrJths, nrw( ol whal is soins on in your area and any olher malorial that is of botanical inlerest by F'riday March I 2' ' 20 l0.

Thc ncxl newsletter will

The Society's News Our presence on the Internet has expanded.

Shropshirâ‚Ź

Bota

cal Socicty and the Web 2.0

Facebook is a name that most intemet users lhese days will bc familiar with, if only to avoid. 11 is one ofthe more popular'social nctworking'web sites and one of a raft of interactive sitcs that are being called web 2.0. Similar to web sitcs likc Friends Reunited this facility basically allows nctworks of fricnds to keep in touch belter and allow peoplc to get back in touch with old friends. Bul it also docs more. I set up a Shropshire Botanical Society page on Faccbook for several reasons:

It provides a forum for membcrs and otbers to ask each other questions about Shropshirc Botany Photographs can be uploaded and could include photos ofplants to help wilh identification, photos of field meetings, or photos ofhistorical intcrcst to the Society.

It will appeal to a demographic that is pcrhaps on the short side in the society.

It also provides an additional bit ofpublicity

If you

arc a mcmber of Facebook do please take a look and lct us know what you

think. The web site

is: www.facebook.com

Dan Wrench

Our Own Logo?

It has been suggested that we might havc our own logo. Have you any ideas about a suitable onc? The onlu essential rcquiremcnts are that it reflects who we are and has a botanical theme. Something based on the BSBI logo perhaps (see the front covcr ofthis newsletter)?

Please send any suggestions, ideas, and any artwork you may havc to me, Fiona or any of the

Committec Members by post or e-mail.

Reports of Society Field Outings 2009 Do please come along lo somc oflhe lield outings you don't bave to bc an cxpert.just enjoy obscrvins our flora in its mtural surroundings and have a grert day oul.

April I l'h The Cliffe led by Mark Duffell A large group ofbotanical society membcls and visitors turned up for the first meeling ofthe year and were rewardcd by excellent wcather and stunning views. In the car park several large Hornbcams (Cerpiflus betulus, werc admired, whitst listening to the crics of courting Peregrincs walking through The Pines we came acrcss clusters ofClimbins C orydalls (Ceratocapnos cldvicldard) growing amongst the conifcr plantation.ln thc woodland a bricftcaching session was undertaken separating the D.flix-m(ls) and Hard Shield Fem (Pollstichwt aculeatum) Dryopte|is (D. ffinis, D. ditatuta ^s ^nd well as observing luxuriflnt growth of Westem Polypody (Polypotlium it?teryecl&m) rampaging along many of the walls near houses. Axiophytes for the woodlcnd arca included Wood Ancmone (Arenonz nemoros.i,Ptgnrl (Conopodium uajus),Bluab.ll (Hyacinthoides on'scr'?ld) and, Yellow Archangel (Lumiastun goleobdolotl ssp. mo tanum).

On the top ofThe Cliffe thc dominant habitat was heathland mainly comprising Bell Heathcr (E/icd cinerea\,Bllbeny (Vaccinium |tlillus),wilhpockcts ofBirch woodland ln the shorter gmssland (mainly Fescues) appcared Early Hair grass (Aira praecox),Parsley'Pietl (lphanes arvensis ^88), Heath Bedstraw (Gdlirn? sdidtlle), Field Woodtrsh (Luzu[a campesttis), Bird's-foot (Ornilroptrs perpasillm) and Sheep's Sonel (Rumex acebsella)

Many of the old walls and stone outcrcps sprouted Navclwort (Urnrilicrr trP?sr,'ls) in many sites showing signs of damage on old leaves which were prob^bly due to the rare leafmining hoverfly C he i I o s ia s en ifasc i at a.

Apart from all the quarrying and forestry evident on thc site. man also makcs his presence lell with numerous introduclions including sevcml cultivars ofDaffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) in lhe woodlands, escaped Cyclamen (Cyckmen heder"i/o1i&m) and Garden Grnpe-hyacinth (Mtdcdli dlmsrtc,rrr). Near onc dcrelict cotlage (SJ394422109) Early Crccus (Crocus tomrnasiniaflus\ \'tas founrt (Det. M. Hoare)- It was useful to compare sidc-by-side native WlldPrivet (LiSunrum ,ulgare) with the non native Grrd en Ptivcl (I'igusttum ovalifolium).

(

was relocated and found to be the commoner species Ilolly (1/er arTailo/lrrl). Nearby many members tried the Spring Beauty (Montia pcrfoliata) whose biltcr but not unpleasant leaves were a valuable source ofvitamin C traditionally. Throughoui thc site a very good sclection of Pr'xnrr spec;es were obscrved (Pranrr a|ium,It cerasikra, P.

An old record lor Highclerc

llolly

ex' ahaclalensir)

domastica ssp. insitita, P.laurocerasus, P.lusitanica

^nd

P. spitosa)

ril native or naturalised-

In comparison with the olher sandstone outcrcps c.g. Bridgnorth, lhe sitc was fairly species poor and it was more surprising what was not found rather Ihan cxtraordinary finds.

Mark Duffell

April 19'h Caradoc and Helmeth led by Dan Wrench A sclcct group o[ 6 started well finding Goldilocks Bultercup (RdfiI{D. lus auricomus) on the vetge immediately next 1() lhe lay-by where wc all pirrked. This startcd the tirst of three lkm square ]ists for

the day. Thc lanc leading fiom the lay-by was inlerestinS enough in itsclf with plenty of the

introduced Pink Purslane (Cl.rytonia sibirica\.

In Helmeth wood we werc still too early tbr the Bluebells in the primarily Oak dominated part oflhe woodland.

After n lunch sai amongst thc spring flowers we continued down the increasingly steep path towards Caradoc- The lrip through Ash (I','arinr6 e.rcebior) dominated woodland brouSht some very pink Wood Sorrcl (O,ralts dceroselld) and large numbers of both Early Dog-violel (Violo reichenbachiana\ and Common Dog-violet (Viota ririniana). we stopped 10 start a new rccording card for thc I square kilomctrc and right where we stopped we found the star plant ofthe day; Nanow-leaved Bitter-cress (Cardamilre impatiens). This had been recorded for Hclmeth Wood before by Mt W.E.Beckwith some 120 years ago. Thc flora in the ash dominated woodland was much dcher lhan thc Oak woodland. where the wood meets the strcam we headed downstream a short way to see the Toothwort (ktir"du d s4rdm4rld) in its regular location. The huge numbers ofspikes amongst the leaves ofRamsons (Alliun ursinun) displ^y therc did not disappoint- (See inside back cover) From here wc finally made it onto the slopes of Camdoc to find a good suite ofSpring ephemerals including Little Mousc-car (Cerasttum semidecdndrur?), Small Cudweed(Filago minina\, Upright Chickweed (Moenchia er"edr), Spring Scdgc (Cdrex caryophyllea), Shepherd s Cress (Ieesddlra flrdicdrl/ir) and Lesser ChickweetJ (Stellaria pallidd). Tiny things but very lovely and great to tind!

The walk bnck took us through somc flushes that despite being too early to idenlify much were very promising and would be worth anolher look sometime. Marsh Arrowguss (Triglochin palustre),Fen Bedstraw (GoliLm uliginosr,r) and Star Sedge (Carex echinald) \\erc nice finds herc. Flushcs lcd to a large area of Alder woodland with a good patch of Wood Horselail (r.l(isetum ,tb.$icum).

DanWrench

May 17rh Bridgnofth Cemetery and Hieh Rock led by John Handley The echoes ofSt Mary's church bells had subsided on a wet Sunday morninS in mid May in Bridgnonh as scvcn botanists surveyed the cemetery throu8h wct windscrccns, Not a grcat slart to a substrate that demanded 'hands and knccs attention'but Poland and Clement's new vegetative key was soon playfully tested on Sonchus and Solidago and hammered through Daisies.

Bridgnorlh Town Council were commended fbr taldng the enlightened step ofallowing thc wildflowers to set seed before cuttinS thc grass and as a consequence we were privileged to admire dtifts of Saxifraga gran ldld (Meadow Saxifragc) intcrmingled with,4o'rerhg Anthoxanthum odor..rr (Sweet Vernal-grass). The sandy paths wcrc a parlicular trcat underlbot with Apidfies .rrvensrl (Pa$ley piert) , M)iosoti s discolor (Changing Forget-me-no1), ornithopus perpusillus (Bllds foot) and edged with C.r tluna vulgdtis (Heather) and Teesdalia nudicttutr-r (Shepherd s Cress).

After a refreshing grccn tca we indulged in a winding, fern-slrewn ascent to High Rock to admirc the considerable slands of,4sttagalus glycyphyllos (wild LiqDorice) betore a misty descent thrcugh Miliwn effusum (wood Millet) to the nne Cdnpanula rctundifolia (Harcbell) ofthe grave(ide A satisfying ramble taking in the last ofthe spring's flceting cphemerals. (See outside back covcr)

June

27ft Gors Bank and Vron Wild Life Site led by Fiona Gomersall

This Wildlife Site lies in the far South Wcst ofthe county close to the Welsh border and not far from Anchor. The site is made up largely of unimproved gmssland with a wide flush running through' by fartherichest areaofGors Bank. About four years ago, Jenny Joy ofButterfly Conse ation yiola identified the site as Small Pearl-bordercd fritillary habitat. The food plant of the caterpillar is pdfu.rlris which grows in profusion in the flush.

ofus met at the infamous Anchor Inn on 27'b June and subsequently made our way south to Gors Bank. It was a fine sunny day and we made the most of it, staying out Dntil after 5pm exploring this rathcr unwieldy site. we rccorded nine species of scdSe including Cdrex pitulifera (Plll Scdge) and Cpalicarls (Flea Sedge). We found a good assemblage of other wetland specics including Epilobium paLunre (Marsh Willowherb), Gdlt"tfl ,li8inor,/,1l (Fen Bedstraw)'Valeriana dioica (Mnrsh yaleian),Veronica sculellQld (Marsh Speedwell) and a lovely grassy bank blanketed in Ansmdne r?er?o,'osd (Wood Anemone). The most exciting find was a host of l)d crylorhiza purPurella (Northem Seven

Marsh Orchid) growing by the brook, twcnty-seven spikes in all. The only other location lor thc orchid in Shropshire lies three or so miles from Gors Bank at another Wildlife Site known as The Riddings. Also quitc cxciting but at tbc same time saddening in this beautiful, remote place was the discovcry of four Signal Crayfish in the stream. Wehad hoped on fint sightto have found the cndangered White-clawed Crayfish but the bright orange claws of this alien could not be ignorcd

Nine members of the botanical society tumcd up to explore Shavington Park Wc were also joined by Albet and Malcolm from thc Whitchurch Community Water Vole Group. After a little rain to starl thc visit the sun thcn emerged and some serious botanising commenccd. We were joined shortly afler starting by William Heywood-Lonsdale and several members ofhis family who were greetcd by the faunal distraction of a large ground beetle (Cdrabus Sranulltus\. Returning to botany the group wandercd through a field which was being managed as a hay meadow under an Environmenral Stewardship Scheme. The grassland was mostly semi-imprcvcd in appearance and it wrs encourcging to see sevenl species of interest starting to find their way into the field Towards the Big Pool the grassland improvcd further and Southern Marsh -otchid (DactJlorhiza prdelermiss.i) and sneczewort (Achitlea ptarmica) , ere found along with more Knapweed (Centaarid ,?i8j"''), Crested Dog's_tail (CJnosurus ctistatus),lasty Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa\ ardLesser Stitchwort (Slellarid

graninea).

Diving through the scrub surounding thc pool led to several good discoverics such as Common Clubrush (Schoe oplectus lac,.{srris), Cyperus Sedge (Carex Pseutloclpetus), Water Dock (1? nrr h))drotapathum) , and Y ellow Loosestrife (l,lsim achia vulSaris). W ithitt the water was Fenncl Pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus) and Common Duckweed (Lem aminor).

Lunch ended with a rain shower so we headed into the dark woodland along the south east ofthe pool where the lTth Ccntury dam was located. Several woodland indicators werc found here showing how long the woodland herc had been established. Down the bank of the dam there was a liftle slream and near this Thin-spiked Wood-sedge (Cdrâ‚Źr rtli8osd) was found - a new record for thc l0km square Larger patches ofthis sedge were found in woodland further to the north.

callant searches wcrc made along the west margin oflhe pond for Cowbanc (Cicrla tiro.ta) but to no avail. It had been seen thcrc back in 1986. we did find one, then several more flowff spikes of Broadleaved Helleborine (Epipdctis hellebotire), then Wood Club-rush (Scirprr .rllvd.tc s)was found ncxt to the bridge over the River Duckow which fccds Big Pool. We managed to get back to the carsjust before the serious rain started.

Thc relatively large number ofnew records for that ten kilometre square indicates that this part oflhe county might well hold a few more surprises.

DanWrench

August

16th

Bryn Mawr Farm and Wildlife Site,led by Fiona Gomersall

Brynmawr Farm, near Rhos Fiddle, is owned by Trevor and Suc Whcclcr, organic farmers who supply various Farmer's Markcts with mainly root vegetables bDt also beef and lamb. They are thc proud owncrs ofa fairly recently designated Wildlife Site, a sustainably renovated holiday cottage run by solar and wind powcr and they make their living by working extremely hard on all of thc above. The Wildlite Trust is very fortunate to havc Trcvor's Highland cattle and Hebridean sheep Srazing Rhos Fiddle, onc ofthch largest nature reservesThe ficld visit was divided between the wetland at Brynmawr and an arable field, on another part of the farm known as Ale Oak. We enjoyed oDrselves in the muddy wctland immcnscly, poking about in the pond with sticks and recording at least twenty axiophytes includinE,^ specles of Charophrte (Stoncwort), Oreoplelt s linbosperma (Lemon scented Fern) by the stream, ar() Iso[epis selacea (Bristle Club rush).

Thc highlight ofthe day came when we arrived al the arablc ficld at Ale Oak where the crop compriscd an intcresting mix of Pea, Triticale, Polato and Oats. Wc wcrc thcrc to rc-find a trio of rarities recorded by Nick Button. Trevor's son-inlaw who had rccorded the weeds the week before.

Steve and Elise O'Donnell have a knack offinding things and between them were the first to spot the Chrysa thenum segetum, (Com Marigold) and Sitene gatlica (Small-flowered Catchfly) whilst the Centauraa qjanus (Cornflower), was fbund by our visitor Roz Gillard. John Clayficld found another good arable wccd, Zanium amplexicaule.(Henbit Dead-neltle). The Catchfly was a wondcrful sight for those ofus who had never seen this small and delicate plant befbre. (See front cover).

Botanical recording in 2OO8l9 Sarah

Whild & Alex Lockton

First County Records Thc varicty ofScaly Male Fern r. dfinis morpholype paleaceo lobat.t (Lowc) Frascr-Jcnkins is the most 'scaly' and upland member of the r. dr'inrs group lhat might be expected in the county. It has not been recorded before, but Anthony Pigott found it in a rather unexpected, lowland, site: the Old Rivcr Bed in Shrewsbury (SJ4914) on 14'h Septembcr 2008.

Ranunculut ficatia L. ssp.fcdrtrlarrn$ (F.W. Schultz) Rouy & Foucaud is a largc-flowered garden cultivar ofLesser Celandinc. A patch has evidently escaped (or was planted) by the palh bctween Cross Hill and Ditherington along the top ofThc Old River Bed in Shrewsbury (SJ49621503, Aj. Lockton, 20'r'March 2009, BIRM).

The Fen Nettle, Urri..i 8aleopsifoliaWictzb. ex Opiz, is known in neighbouring Staffordshire and we havc suspected fbr some time that it grows in Shrcpshire too. Possiblc sighiings have been made at Attingham Park (M. Duffcll & AJ. I-ockton, 2005) and Benthall Edge (M.F. Godfrey, 2006)

9

and this year Ian Green found it at Wild's Coppice (50533797, l7'h August 2009) in damp woodland by a pond.It should now be formally included on the Shropshire list and people could usefully kccp an eye out for it in likely places. It is similar in appearance to Common Nettle, but with narrow leaves and it is almost stingless.

Brian Laney has spent a lot of time surveying lhe A5 in Shropshire in the iast two years, and during this time he has found quite a few new and rare plants, mostly in the salFspray zone along the roadside. One of these is Grass-leaved Orache, Attiplex lixorulis L., vlhich he found in five places along the A5 around Shrewsbury this year. His first record was at Nobold (SJ473097, l1'r' June 2009) Continuing the theme of roadside plants, Laney lound Spergularia rupicola Lebel ex Lc Jolis, Rock Sea-spuney, by the A5 at Edgebold, SJ455l l3 (conf. S.J. Whild, BIRM) on 8'h June 2009.

Brcad leaved Cockspur-lhom, Crataequs persinilir Sarg., has been planted alongside thc Shrewsbury bypass at Battlefield (SJ515166, A.J. Lockton, det. S.J. Whild,2"d April 2009). This is the fint time wc have found this spccics bcing used in a planting scheme.

Sickle Medick, Melica go satiye y^r.falcata (L.) Arcang., turned up on a verge of lhc Hodnet bypass (SJ616275) on 2l-'August 2009 (AJ. Lockton, conf. SJ. Whild) growing on sandy soils with a mixture ofnative plants srch as Ornithopas perp sillur and numerous alien species that had presumably been introduced in a seed mix.

Hybrid willowherbs are generally under recorded, but on l4'h September 2008 we were lucky enough to have sevenl experts from the BSBI exploring the Old River Bed in Shrcwsbury. Both Helena Crouch and Arthur Chatcr spottcd Epilobiu r rirulare Wahlenb. (E. palustre L. x E. parviflorum Schreb.) (SJ494149, BIRM). This is the first record of it in the county.

One ofthe more notorious invasive aliens is Floating Pennywort,lljydlo co\le ranuncubides L. f., which has been known to bccomc cxcccdingly abundant, particularly in polluted waterways. It has until now been absent from Shropshire, but Brian Laney found it in a pond near Oswestry, SJ307294, on 26'h November 200E. Argcntinian Vcrvain, yâ‚Źrbena bonariensis L..has tumed up in two places recently. Brian Laney found one plant by the A5 at Oswestry, SJ3023 i I, on 26'h Novembff 2008, and AIex Lockton also foundjust one plant on the towpath ofthe River Sevem in Shrcwsbury, SJ495127, on 22 July 2009 (det. SJ. whild, BIRM).

An uncommon garden throwoul is Mznthd -r villosoneryata Op\z (M. longifolia x spicatd), Sharp toolhed Mint. It was collected by Mark Duffell and Sarah Whild on a roadsidc verge at Knockin (SJ3322.) on 2l "'July 2009.

Greater Lettuce, 1-actrca yirosaL., \\,as fitst recorded in the county by Henry Spare in Irighton's Flora of l84l. That rccord is not widely accepted, but Brian Laney has now tbund it tuming up on the side of the ,{5 at Preston (SJ535121) and Upton Magna (SJ554l l8), both in 2009.

Yet another interesting discovery by Brian on his roadside ventures was Narrowlcavcd Ragwort, Senecio inaequidensDC., which has spread throuShout much ofEngland in the last few years. He found a seedling on the verge of the A5 at Rhoswicl, SJ300369, on I I'h November 2008. Aithough Brian was confident about its idcntification, we decided to grow it on Dntil it flowered in 2009. and

indeed he was proven right.

Bulbous Canary-grass, Plalaris aqualica L., ts row widcsprcad in the south ofEngland, ^nd seems to have reached at least thc southcm halfof Shrcpshire.It was recorded by Ian Green at Woodhouse (SO@2778) on l6'h August and by Paul Grcen at Downton Hall (SO524?E2) on l7'h August 2009, both times as a weed in arable fields.

Great Brome, Ar?isdnl&d dldl?drd (Roth) Tutin cx Tzvelev, is another weed of arable fields that, according to the BSBI maps, has probably been in Shropshire for some time but has not bccn recorded- That has now been put right, as Ian creen found it at Overton (50661866 & 50664868, 15'h August) and Bransley (50655754, l6'r' August) and Paul creen found it at Downton Hall (50522787,

l7'r'August 2009).

Rough Bristlc grass,,tâ‚Źtaria verticillara (L.\P. Beauv., is a rare weed ofrough ground and roadsides, mostly in the south of England. It was frequent as an arable weed in a field of maize at Cobscot, SJ689386, on 2?'h AuSust 2009 (A.J. Lockton, det. S.J. Whild, BIRM).

Greater Snowdrop, G.ilanthus elwesii Hook.1.. was recorded by Mark Dullell and memben of I' the Botanical Society at The Cliffc, SJ392l . on I i Apnl 2009. Th is is r fuirly common gardcn plant.

l0

Rare Plants

It is aslonishinS how long some plants rcmain in the same sile, or how long the gap can be beforc they recllr. ln about 1800 Edward Williams rccordcd the charophyte Bristly Slonewort, CftQrd iispidd L., at Kynnerstey on the Wcald Moors. This is one ofjust two sites recorded for it in the county, so it is somcthing of a rarily- It is also a ruther rare planl in Bitain, withiust halfa dozen cunently known sites.In 2009 it turned up again not far from the original si1e, at Kynncrslcy Moor (AJ. Lockron, SJ687167,2*' July 2009, BIRM), in a recently dug fishing pond.

Although it is prob$ly not all that rare, the hybrid between Malc Fem, Drtopteris Jilix'nds (L.) Schott. and Scaly Malc-fern, D. dlfinit (Lowe) Frascr-Jenkins, D- r complâ‚Ź-t r Fraser Jcnkins, is who has studied this difficult genus.Ifyou rarely rccordcd for rcasons that will bc obvious to ^nyone accept the many morphotypes ofD. drfirir thc task becomes even harder. Howevet, it is a striking plant, with huge fronds up lo 2 m long. It has now been recorded at four sites in the county Candy Valley (SJ2528, B.A. Thomas, 1989), Haughmond Hill (SJ5413, A.J. Lockton.2006), E.rl's Hill (SJ412046, A.C. Pigott, 2006) and Pontesford Hill (SJ409055, AJ. Lockton,2009).

There are only a few good rccords of Dense-flowered Fumitory, aumdria densiflon DC.,tn Shropshire - the last bcing in 1962, when Franklyn Pcning found it in fields near Prcston Montfbrd.

Howevcr, Brian Laney recently found it by the side of the A5 at nearby Bicton Heath (SJ448127) on 4'h June 2009 (conf. SJ. whild, BIRM). This is a very south-easterly plant in Britain, and it is tempting to imagine that Lancy's plants are introduclions alonS the motorway; but the proximity to native in this part ofthe countyPening's sitc leaves open the possibility that it is ^ctually Silene noLttflord L.,on sandy bank near the Brian Laney found Night-flowering Catchfly, ^ Nesscliffe Bypass al Wolf's Hcad, SJ373200, in l lrh Deccmbcr 2008. This species is on lhe cdgc of its range in thc county, and it occurs only as a casual- The last record was in 1992 by Elizabelh Robefls at Oswestry Racecourse.

Smalf-flowered Catchfly, Silene gallico L., (see front cover). is simil^rly oulside its ranSc in this county and tcnds to occur only as a casual. Nick Button found it in an organic farm at Brynmawr, SO22l u35, on 2''L AuSust 2009. It was growing with Cornflower, CenrdM'e.i .)dfirr L., and other arable weeds. There arc just seven records o[ this spccies in the coDnty the previous one being in 1987 on a road verge at osweslry, by Marjorie wainwriShtNanowleaved Bittercrcss,Catdamine impatien r L-, was somcwhat elusive fbr a couple of decades after Sinker's Flora, and we sta(ed Srowing wary of the old records becausc it had apparently disappeared. However, pcople have evidently stafted looking in the right pli:ices, becausc it has now becn found in foDr si(es in thc county. Firstly, Tim Room found it at Craig-y-rhiw in 2007; thcn it turned up in Pam and Roger Green's garden at Ratlin8hope (50402966) in 2008; this year il was found at Hclmeth Hill (SO471941, D.H. Wrcnch. I9'h April 2009) and Hopes wood (So445931, Aj. Lockton, 3'd June 2009, BIRM). By reinstaling all thc old records, we now have a distribution map as

.(''*-.\l , \ --?r_.f --,-J'-\_

ll

/

: \

Ditlander, Lepidium lariJbllxm L., has just four rccords ever in Shropshire. It was found growing in some abundance in a derelict lot at The Humbers, ncar Tellord, SJ703149, by A.J. Lockton on 4'b June 2009. It was last râ‚Źcorded at Oswestry in 1993 by M.E. Robefts and E. Townsend.

In 2003 Katc Thome found a population ofFloating Water-plantain, luronium natans (L.) Raf., in a field at Edgerley (SJ3418). The field changed hands and was left ungrazed, so by 2007 it was completely overg(t\Nn wilh Glyceria maxrrrd, and thc plant was considered lost. However, this year Kate searched carefully along the fcncc line wherc it used to grow and found a small populalion still surviving. Hopcfully it will be belter protected in future.

Elongated Sedge, Cdrer e[ongataL.,is analionally scarce plant with a large proponion of its British population in Shropshirc. It appean Io have been in decline here fbr somc time, as its canal sitcs were restored (it used to grow on the rotting wooden pilings) and in thc mercs it suffers from conse ation - the sites are ollen fenced off and allowed to succeed to dry woodland. This ycar it has turned up in two ncw sites: Preston Coppice (SJ49119'7,25'h M^y 2009) and Tunstall Wood (SJ628269, 25'h August 2009), both found by AJ. Lockton. Thc distribution map now looks as

fbllows.

People who have contributed botanical records in 2009 Mr H. Andrcws Mr K.K. Bcll

MrR. Green

MrR. Mager MrM. Manioll

MrN. Button

Mrs P.G. Grcen

Dr S. Marsh

Ms E. Carlwright Ms G.E. Castle

Mr LP. Creen Mr P.R. Creen Mr J. Handley

Dr J.I-. Mason Mr R. Mileto Miss L.A. Moody Mr S. Morgan Mrs I- Morgrn Dr S. O Donncll Mrs E. O'Donncll Ms T. Pcarson

Mr J. Clayfield Mrs M. Cousins Mr A.P. Dawes MIs R.A. Dawcs

MrR. Duff MrM. Duffell MrM. Gibbs Sqn LdrM.F. Codfrey

Ms F. Comersau

Mrs P. Higson Mr M.G. Hoare Mrs J.Ing

MrN.P.

Jones

Miss F. Lancaster Mr B.J. Laney Mr A.J. Locklon

MrM.W. Rand Mrs M.E. Robens

Ms L. Ruffino Dr l'. Spencer-Vellacotl Mr R-M. Srokes Mr R.J. Swindells

Mrs S. Swindells MrJ.A. Thompson Dr SJ. Whild Ms I. wilkinson Ms L. Worledge

MrD.H. Wrench Mrs S.J. Wynn DrP.J. Wyso

17

Juncus (rushes) in Shropshire Mass Cousins There are 28 spec ies of ,r,.{r recorded in the B ritish Isles (Preston, 2002) but only I 3 in Shropshire not including hybrids and sub species (Shropshirc Bohnical Socicty,2009)- Species absent from Shropshire include those confined to lhe coasr rnd ;ntetidal mudflats, a.d some with r morc noftherly or southem range. The rehlively few species in Shropshirc should give bolanists somc conlidcncc in separrting rhe species ofthe genus

,r,.!s

oflhe J"n.a.eda (Rush family) which also includes the a,.!12, or Wood rushcs- ,Ln.&t at firsl sighl may appear similarlo other rush-, sedge- orsrass- 1ikc plnnts but can be dislinguished by thc flowers among( olhcr fcalures. Irz.,r have 6 i€pals (lepals are the undiffcrentiarcd scprls and petals),6 stamcns (sonc spccics only 3 slarnens) and a single l-3 celled ovary wilh many ovulcs (Slacc, 1997). This adicle will look at thc charactcristics, distribulion and in somc cascs thc managcmcnl issues surrounding some rnembers ofrhe genus J!,.!r,leaving rr.lld 10 be the subject lbr anolher newsleier. However, il is worth noling rha( J,n.!r le3ves are usually unilacial (cylindrical to flaltened). whereas the leaves of a,.,ld arc grass and

are nembers

lxr,Lr

like or bifacial.

alllhc,tu,.,s spccics is a prcfcrcncc fordarnp, walcrioggcd or scasonally inundat€d soils. This is shown by thc Ellcnbcrg indicalor valucs of soil noisturc lor .,Ln.,r irorn 7 = conslantly moist. lo I 0 = shxllow water siles thai may lack standing water lbrexlensive periods. These indicalor valucs wcrc dcvclopcd by thc latc Profcssor Hcinz Ellenb€rg. He devised ecological indicalorvalues fbr environmcntal gradicnls und the moislure scale extends from I (exlreme dryness) lo l2 (submerged planl. permanenlly or almost constantly undcrwaler). The range for ru.us of7-10 reveals (heir adaptation lo damp condilions. This includcs wci hcalh, noorland. floodplain grasslard. fens. bogs. stream and pond edges but also simplc wcl hollows in liclds. damp tracks. ruls and gateways in arable fields and quarries. Almost anywhere wilh impeded drainage al least lbr part ofthe year you are likely 10 find aJ r.ri species so they are well worth gelting to know.

Common to

our mos! familiar rush nust

be

rrr.lrr

?l7rr!rr (Soft Rush) which is recorded fron nearly every lOkm in thc

British Isles and the majority of 2km squares (tetrads) in Shropshne. lt istolerantofa wide range ofsoil conditions and trrmpli.g and dislurbance. The smooth glossy cylindricrl leaves contain a spongy. continuous pith which was rcpulcdly lraditionally uscd ior oil larnp wicks and is slill fashioncd loday i.to'pilh hmps by dcvolccs ofbushcrafl- Il grows and spreads vigorously ifxnchecked, the densc iussocks somctimcs rcrching l.2n tall. Grazing animals will take the young growth but J. qtnyr can soon form vcry dcnsc slands in poorly drained paslures. outcompeting and shading olherplants ifadditional managemenl is nol carricd out.

Presunably harvesting for use in basketry. thatching and paper-makjng helped control this plant in the past. The meadow at Fenemerc SSSI in nofth Shropshire typifies a situltion wherc J.cJrirrrr had become so dominan! on thc M23b .lunus ef sus/ocuti|lotut'Goliun paluste rush'pasture, Jxn.,r sub community. lhri it was "fi.s,r ihrea(ening lhe special interest of the meadow. The lield on the edge of Fenemere pool is wct and pcaly and even caltle grazing is linited to short periods when soil condilions allow. The field was cul, dried and brlcd in a briefweather window in lale summer 2008. The round bales were more than 957. J.el(rr but lbtunately worked well as winter bedding for the caltle. which avoided the disposal problem and provided a economrc relum. This rrcrtmcnr wcakcncd thc tussocks cnabling olhcr spccics such as tlchnis flos cuculi (Rzggetl Robin), Ranunc lus flannd.1d (L€sser Spearwort) and Filipenllula ulnlario (Mcadowswcct) ro flourish once morc. but will bc repealed again lhis y€ar and again in the fuixre as necessary 1() kccp thc J. 4t'irs,J al reasonable leveis. (See photo inside fionl cover) Easily overlooked is Jun&s co gLo wat s (Compact Rush) which grows in sinilarhabilats 1() J.errs,r but is not quite as widespread. Unlike J- €ftrrrr, the stens are clearly ridged tidges can be felt wilh the fingers) it is usually shoner than Soft Rush and lhe flowerheads usually more compact. These species hybridise i J. 4/nr!rr x J.co glonerutus =J.xken rcichgekii ntl thcrc;s only onc recordoflhis in Shropshire from wildmoor Pool (R .D. Prfce. 2007). Thc lack of rccords may bc duc lo thc difficuily in delernining rhe hybrid. It is intermediate in chraclcr ofthc two parcnls and is highly fcrtilc so is bcst delernined in the field with its parenls.

Also in this group is.,Ln."s t'levs (Hird Rush) which forms densc lufis ofgliucous (greyish). hard and finely ridgcd slems. The siems are stiffand poinled, so aven yourgaze as you bend to cxaminc this plan110 avoid a painlul pokc ;n the cycl Il is more commonly associated with wei base rich soils usually with somc lrlcral movcmcnt oflhc ground water ihan J. eJlnszr. Itcan be abundanl in suihblc habilals and is avoidcd by grazirg mimals blrl docs not sccm 1() caxsc such managemcnt problcms as.,r. qffirs,r. krcl], il can hybridise wilh J. efitsus =.1. x dtffitsur but this has only been recorded once in Shropshire in 1895 by thc Rcv. Printcr.

I3

A distinct group of J,r,{.,rr are the Seplali which includes, of lhe Shropshire spccies, Juncus afticulatus (Joinred Rush), J. ac&r'lolrs (Sharp-flowered Rush), J. subnodulosus (Bt]unt-r'towered Rush) and J. r,1ro r (Bulbous Rush). As the name ofthe group suggests lhey are all characterised by the leaves being divided by transverse septa, which are somelimes visiblc externally, but can cetai'ly be felt if drawn through your fingers. InJ. a/tt./ldr,r the Ieaves are laterally flatlcned and may be decumbert and the plant reduced in size especially in grazed situaiions. Elsewhere il may be erect and much largcr to 80cn h;gh. It can be confused with

J.d.rrflo,'!r (Sharp-flowered

Rush) and lo dislinguish the 1wo you would be well advised to look at the flowers.

The tepals of J.acutifolur are acurninate (sharp poinled),lhc ouler lvilh recurved apical poinis (curved out lips) and the capsule evenly laper€d to a sharp poinl. Whereas in J-arti.,1ar.rs, the outer tepals are not arched out al the tips but are erect and the capsule is longly ovoid, suddenly narowed 1o a dcfinite beak. J. d.ttc&/d/ur is frequent throughout Shropshire whereas J . acuti|lotus is morc lrequenl in upland arcas and rather sparse in the lowlands (Sinker. I 99 I ). However they do hybridise ro form J. x s"r/ej?n,r which can be commoner than rhe parents in some pans of the British Isles. Only lwo brave recorders in Shropshire have distinguished this hybrid which is intermediate in characlers wilh ils parents. Il was lasl rccordcd in Shropshire by R. Lansdown in 1998 by the Montgomery Canal.

J. rulros"r (Bulbous Rush) is a Shropshire axiophyte (indicator sp€cies) but is anothcr species that can be confused wiih J. arltcrldl&r. h is a cornrnon pione€r of wet bare ground but a poor compelitor in dense vegetarion. It is often found in grazed and trampled patches in wcl grassland,peat bogs, heathland and rutted tracks, as on wet acid soils oflhe lrng Mynd. It is a smallcr plant to 30cm,often bulbous at the base. with flower clusters on long sialks thal are oflen replaccd by liny plantlels. The capsules are rounded and very blunl.

The last in this group rrcus subnodulosus (Blt)nt-flowered Rush) is also an axiophyte rnd its distribution is described in the Rarc Plants ofShropshir€ (I,ocklon,2005). It has a usefirl d;agnoslic characteristic in that the leaves have distincl longitudinal panidons as w€ll as cross partitions- Pecl away the outer covering of the leaves and these divisions can be seen clearly withoul using alens. It is wcll woth looking out for as J.r,rbrodrlos&r is restricted lo calcareous or base rich fens. marshes and peaty soils and is only recorded from 13 tetrads in Shropshire- It was a welcome discovery ar a small farm near P€ntre which is undcr an agn enviro.ment s€hene with Nrtural Engllnd to restore a small area ofvalley nire vegetation by rernoving scrub, reinstrting gmzing and blocking drairs- The underlying peat in a corner of lhis farm is influenced by calcarcous ground water and s pports a good stand of J. subnoduLosus a1ory \tirh Filipenl la ulnatio,Valetiund ofrcinalis (Conn'Dn Valcrian) and ralicdlid (I'urple Looseslrife).

tldz,

The Pseudolenageia group of Jun.,r conlains three spec;es found in Shropshire the most common of which is Juncus squarrosus (Hearh Rush). This has a dislinctivc lufied growlh form with the tough. wiry leaves bending out horizontally making it look like a small brush. Il is unpalalable to livestock and resistant to irampling and can be found on heavily grazed and peopled areas ofmoisl acid hcalhs and noors, such as the Clee Hills and lhe Long Mynd. It does not compele weu wiih longer vegetation and hence is oficn associated with trlckways.

A rarity in this group is "/.r"rrlr co,rplcr$rr (Round-fruiled Rush) which is now considcrcd cxtinct in Shropshire where it would be at the westem exient ofits rangc (Lockton,2005)- It is locally common in marshes and wet meadows in Central and Eastem Englard but could well bc undcr or over recorded.

An;nteresling recent addition to the suile of Shropshire ,rn.rr species in this group is J. renrir (Slender Rush) which was i.lroduced to the British Isles from North America and first r€corded in Bnhin in 1795 (Stace, 1997).

There are a scaltering oflocalilics in Shropshire o, damp compacted ground on roadsides and tracks and a good place 10 see it is at Brown Moss on thc cdge ofthe main pool near the car park. I! has soft. narrow, erect leavcs with loose terminal panicles ofgreenish tcpals and capsule. More records ofihis species for Shropshire woutd be welcome to track its spread across the counlyThe last group ofJ&r.rs to cover the exlant Shropshire species is lhe Poiophylli which includes lhe delighlful J. ,{rnt"r (Toad Rush). Unlike the descriptive names of many of the oiher rushes I can see no reason why this is callcd Toad Rush. Il is a slender and diminuitive annual. growing only 2'l0crn 1all, although exceptionally large specirncns may rcacn 25cm high. Tbe inflorescence is repealedly forked wilh a grecnish floret in each fork. The outer lepals are greenish wilh whit;sh margins and much exceed lhe irner lepals and the blunt capsule. "f. brpri r can be found ;n all k;nds ofhabitrts with impeded drainage. freshwater and brackish, nalural and arlificial and will even colonisc lhc b.re mud of funows and gateways in arable fields.

rrlbnirr aggregate has bcen scpamted andJ./r/irrur (I-eafy Rush) is now recosnised as a scparatc species. It has a differenl chromosomc number in the diploid generation (lhe main plant). Il has a predominanlly south-wcstem distr;bulion (Preston,2002) and is regarded as a Shropshire axiophlte- The few records of J. /bli,rs,r in Shropshire nearly all made by our Counry Recorder for Vascular Plants (Dr S'rere TheJ.

14

Whild) on the Stiperslones and CramerCulterl This suggests it is difficult lo disti.guish but look out for line eilher side ofthe midrib on the lepals and longiludinal ridges on thc sccds.

a

dark

The following drawings willalso hclp;n idcnlincation of(he rrn.,lr species. There are good keys, illustrations and descripr;ons in all lhe usual placcs sce below, so gei ihose records rolling in for the Jrrcrr ofShropshire.

LOCKTON, A.J., & WHILD. S.J.. (2005) The Rare Plants ofshropshire.3d EditioD. Shrcpshirc Botanical Society.

PRESTON C.D.. PEARMAN

D. & DINES T.. (2002) New Allas of

lhe Brirish & Irish Flor:r. Oxford Univcriiy

RICH, T.C.C. & JERMY, A.C., (1998) Plant Crib 1998, Boranical Society ofthe Bilish Islcs. London.

ROSE. F., (1989) Colour ldentificalion Guide 10 the Grasses, Sedges, Rushes and lcms of lhc British Islcs and nonh wcslern Europe. Viking.

SHROPSHIRE BOTANICAL SOCIETY. (2009) Database ofvascular plant recods in Shropshire. htlp://www-shropsbotdata.orc.uk/dalabase/ SINKER. C.A. PACKHAM. J.R.. TRUIIMAN,I.C., OSWALD. P.H.. PERRING. F.H., PRESTWOOD, W.V., (1991) Ecological Flora ofthe Shropshire Region. publisbed by the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.

STACE, C.,( I 997) New Flora of the British lsles. Second Edilion. Canbddge University Press.

Key to Juncas (rushes) in Shropshire The main prcblem molr boranisls have with kcys 10,I"n.ds is in underslanding where the leaves are. For mos! of the large common Jucr.l (eflirrrr soft rush, inrldtrr hard rush and conaldndldt,r compact rush).lhe leaves are not the long spiky grcen bils;inslead ihe leaves are reduced ro brown scales at the base ofthe plant what we perceive as lcavcs arc in fact green pholosynihelic flower slalks and bracts.

Oftcn in kcys you will be asked to differentiale between annuals and percnnials here s how. Annuals will usually have flowers/fiuil on each branch with no purely vegetative bits at lhe base (i-e. no leafy shools). Thcy will usually be shallow rooted wilh relalilely few adventitious rools rnd are oflcn cas] lo pull up. Pcrcnnials will usually hrve lelfy shoots at thc bltsc with no flowcrs or fruit forming on those shoots.They are oflen more deeply rooted xnd morc difficult to pull up (ralher destructive !)

I I 2 2

Plants with flal bifacial leaves (ie leaves having two sides Uke a grass) Plants with leaves or lea ike slens that are more or less rourd i! cross scclion (tubular orunifacial): true leaves may be reduced to brow. scalcs at basc oflcaHikc slcm

2

Annuals, usually smnll (less than orâ‚Źqual lo 20cm tall). no basal leaves Pcrenninls. usually rnore than 20cm lall with either basal rosette ofleaves or leafy

3

shoolc

4

a

he

base

3 3

Leaves 2mm or more wide with teplls having a dark stnpc Gan) Leaves less than 2mm wide. teprls wilhoul dark fipc (common)

4 4

Stems w;th long leafy bracls that cxcccd thc lax inflorescence (uncommon) t'.lower slems with shon spik] bracls thal don't exceed lhe cluslered terminrl infioresccncc (hcathland and rnoorland)

5 5 6

Lcaves tubular (round in cross section and with septae orjojnts in tbe leaves that are easily fell belween thumb and forefinger ike stems benring True leaves reduced !o brown scales at the base ofthe plant clustcred infl orescâ‚Źnces

ler

Leaves with septae orjoints running cross ways and lenglh ways; teprls all blunt and pale; uncommon, only in base-rich (usually species rich) fens

sub odulolus

l5

5

J. tenuis J. squtrr.,sus

6

Leaves with septae only runnine cross ways

7

kaves very fine, cross seclion 'double-barrelled'.

-

no lengthways septae base of shoots bulbous

and inflorescences often appearing to be viviparous (snall plantlets growing from flowers); acid bogs and l€aves not parlicularly fine and not doubte-barrelled, shoots wilhout conspicuous bulbous

flushes

7

J.

base

8

8

Tepals of two different shap€s - the innff ones acute to obluse, the oul€r acuminate; L€aves usually fla.tened in cross sections and curved; very common in damp Tepals all acule to acuminate; leaves usually lerete (rounded) in cross sectiont lrequent in acid meadows and flushes (more disceming than

places

8

drttc,rd&sl)

9

enrichment

pith

)

J.

afticulotus

J. dcutiflotus

Stem glaucous (blue-grey). pith in srem interup.ed (with gaps in it- look below flower head); very common usually where some slight base Stems green with continuous Fresh slems wirh ridges fell with thumb nail (usually < 35 ridges): bract at back of inflorescence opens out and is flat (bmct bends over easily esp. in late surnme t

9 l0

bulbosus

J. inflexus

l0 J.

conglonelarus

l0

Fresh st€ms wi.hout discemable ridges, smoolh, bracl at back of inflores€ence 'pinched' , appearing in a continuous line and not opening out and bending back in lale summer J. elfusus

{F.", r' ul I r 0,.1 r,il

I

RUsflEE

-

Jr"

*+ l[-b"r \:Ez:

Wi. *t. rl/. ' <\/{i r 'i'g,)W

w

t':1. \ t

+'!,t@

@

rN,tl,

@ o't,

11orr

'

;"'tr,

h '1!

J. !,rlr,,

t

Vilxer

=

I

.8t

(.! '*"

6.$ it\tt

,.1.6',5orr.,s Lo,r1y

i;rc

rusfi

J, fo iirsrrs \ ilLnt,,, r ac(, .J . ten",:

irA,/re:i'9'.

ul0e

Jirr.r,,,c ji 1.. {"-, fi

'r!

Mlr';,lt',..'

't

,r",

r'

'ir.q,..r d' rt

rrr pt7

hid r ud .@l t4r\ua \r"t la'^q

r.".i,

..rid. di fi( t i .rt^!,,] no!.ll

r,,t

{ .dl.! r,vh qto\! o'!!(!r,D, { bntl. ! tnr\

nr

.r !h,rb.d Leas

l'i

h'ilLr'

b'tgr f'd'

o^ o-;J e,le

R"re ac'd llashes

t^lr.d!.<it,:^c.vaa) cu tc,nit hetl \r )nl ,c 1 i'M\-r.' upad'..

e.c9 Osn 35

List of Members Memb€rship is €10 a year or 120 for lhre€ years aod is due for renewal on Janurry 1'r ofthc ycar shown. Plcasc scnd chequ€s, Sbrosphire Botanical Society, to Mark Duifell 19 Compion Mews, Ford, Shrewsbury, SY5 gNX. * An asterisk before your name draws your attcntion to the fact ihat your renewal is overdue.

Andrew ailott, shrewsbury lanet Allwood, Ludlow Mia Armstrong, Bridgnorth Audrey Ashwell, Craven Arms N.H. Barnett, Lea Cross Keith Bell, Shrewsbury Frank Bentley, Shrewsbury lohn & Denise Bingham, Kidderminster Peter Boardman,Shrewsbury Michael Braithwaite, Roxburghshire Don Sriggs, All Stretton Shirley Burton, Nantwich Arthur chater, Aberystwyth

20to 2010 201,2

2011

2010 2013

20!t 2012 2010 (hon.)

2010

2072

207t

Julie Clarke, Beetham

2010

lohn clayfield, clunton

201r

Bernard & Mollie Coleman, Telford Philip cornish, Shrewsbury Mags Cousins, All Stretton

2011,

*Hugh cutler, Shrewsbury Elizabeth Dale, Shrewsbury Ruth Dawes, Trefonen lain Diack, Wolverhampton Mark Duffell,Shrewsbury clenys Evans, Llanfyllin

2009 2010

201r 2071,

2071 201,1

2011,

201t

Joan Fallows, Co. Clare

201,1,

*clare Fildes, shrewsbury

2009

Rosa Ford, Shropshire

201t

Heather Garrett, Tywyn

2011

Peter Gateley, Lancashire Damian Glynn, Shrewsbury

2011

Martin Godfrey, Stafford Fiona Gomersall, Lydbury North Richard Gornall, Leicester Pam Green, Ratlinghope *Llew Guest, Shrewsbury Lalage Hampson, Shrewsbury +Henry Hand, Church Stretton lohn Handley,Shropshire Melanie Heath, Shropshire Brian Herring, Telford Pirkko Higson, Oswestry Maurice Hoare, Montford Bridge Vivienne Hodges, Shrewsbury lenny Hodgkiss, Market Drayton Paul Hope, Shrewsbury Rachel Hunter, Macclesfield lohn lbbott, Shrewsbury

2072 2010

201,1

201t 2010 2009

2010 2009 2011,

2012 20L2 2010 2010 2010 2011, 2011.

2011,

Jane lng, Baschurch Ron lremonger, Shrewsbury Bill (avanagh, Newcastle-undeFLyme

2017 20t1.

2010 2010

Sylvia Kingsbury, Bishops Castle

201,7

Nadia Kingsley, Bridgnorth Mark & Claire Kitchen, Berkeley *Elaine Knowles, Ford

2012

Ray Knowles,Shrewsbury James Lawson, Poniesbury 1',]

2013

2009 2010 2011

Knighton

Jane Lennox, John & Marjorie Leonard, Craven Stephen Lewis, Susan Lewis, near Alex Lockton,

Arms Pontesbury Ellesmere Shrewsbury

*FrancesMcCullagh,Wolverhampton

2010

2Ot! 2010 2010 2O1O 2OO9

Powys 2011 2O1O Chris Mitchell, Shrewsbury 2010 Jane Morris, Shrewsbury (hon.)

Rose Murphy, camborne 2011 Nick Musgrove, Wulfruna 5t.

Dennis Nisbet, Church Stretton 20tt 2O'\3 Steve & Elise O'Donnell, Albrighton (life) Philip oswald, Cambridge (life) John Packham, Bridgnorth Pat Parker, Baschurch 2Ol0 (hon.)

David Pearman, Truro Tess Pearson, Bishops Castle 2011 Preen, PoolQuay 2009 'Maureen (hon.)

Chris Preston, Crowmarsh Gifford Pursaill, Shrewsbury 2010 Jan Matthew Race, Birmingham 2011 Paul Reade, stourbridge 2010 (hon-) Tim Rich, Cardiff *Frances Riding, Ellesmere 2009 +Caroline Savage, Shrewsbury 2009 *Vicky Scriven, Apley Park 2009 Ron shoubridge, Ludlow 2010 William Shufflebotham, Wem 2010 (life) Charles Sinker, Shrewsbury Les Smith, Ross on Wye 20ll 2O!1 Sandra Spence, Craven Arms 2011 Laura Spence, Craven arms (hon.) clive Stace, Ullesthorpe *sarah stafford, Leominster 2009 Rob Stokes, 5h rewsbu ry 2O!L Janet Stone, Shrewsbury 2010 *sue Swales, Shrewsbury 2009 2013 Sue Swindelh, Oswestry lan Thompson, Shrewsbury 2O1O Jo Thompson, shrewsbury 2010 2011 John Thompson, Harmer Hill Step ha nie Thomson, Hereford 2OII Rachel Meade,

KateThorne,churchPulverbatch 2oLl

Shrewsbury Oswestry Bridge Wolverhampton condover North Trent Shrewsbury Dan Wren.h, shrewsbury Colin Wright, ShrewsbLrry lean Wynnelones, Ledbury Rosem

a

ry Thornes,

Mary Thornton, SueTownsend, Montford lan Trueman, chris Walker, *Tom Wall, Lydbury Neville Walters, Stoke on Sarah Whild,

2011 2010 2OtO

(life) (life) 2009

20tt 2010 2OlO

2A11 2010

lnthraea squanatia Toothwort parasitic on Hrzel roots (Photo by Dan Wrench)

bthnea squanatia

Toothwort (Photo by Dan Wrench)

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