Some recent Suffolk plant records by Suffolk Naturalists' Society

SOME RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT

c o m p i l e d b y E . M . HYDE a n d F . W .

RECORDS

SIMPSON

For each record the following information is given: locality and habitat. Ordnance Survey 10km square, vice-county, finder's name or initials (see key at end of article) and date of record. The comments are those of the compilers, based in some cases on information supplied by the finders. The nomenclature and order of the species are with very few exceptions those of Flora Europaea. The compilers wish to thank the specialists who determined, or confirmed the identity of, specimens. Simpson's Flora of Suffolk is used as the authority for claiming first or second County records, supplemented by the large number of records received since its publication. As a result of the BSBI Monitoring Scheme, which covered five Suffolk 10km squares, and the BSBI Arable Weed Survey, an exceptionally large number of records were received in 1987. Many interesting records have had to be held over until 1989. Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw., Moonwort. Cransford, several specimens in old meadow, 1984-87, TM36, v.c. 25, DFS. An interesting find and not recorded for an East Suffolk site for many years. Azolla filiculoides Lam., Water Fern. (i) Woodbridge, in a pond at Notcutt's Nurseries, TM24, v.c. 25, PMB, 30/12/87. Not introduced deliberately. (ii) Felixstowe, in one only of the pools in the Spa Gardens, TM33, v.c. 25, EMH, 30/1/88. Salix triandra L., Almond Willow. (i) Lidgate, on N. side of Castle moat in scrubby woodland, TL75, v.c. 26, TCGR, 28/6/87. (ii) Lakenheath area, TL78, v.c. 26, PJOT and MGR, 1987. (iii) Norman Gwatkin Nature Reserve, TM47, v.c. 25, 1986. A common species on this STNC Reserve, and also planted. (STNC Winter Magazine, 1986.) (iv) Fisher Row, Oulton, TM59, v.c. 25, PGL, 1985. Salix cinerea L. ssp. oleifolia Macreight, Rusty Sallow. Recorded in several new sites in 1987, on both acid soils and chalky boulder clay. Because the two subspecies of S. cinerea have not often been recorded separately, it is not known how common ssp. oleifolia is in the County. More records would be welcome. (i) Wickhambrook; Sowley Green; Cowlinge; all TL75, v.c. 26, RA, 1987. (ii) Wangford, TL78, v.c. 26, MGR and PJOT, 1987. (iii) Eyke, MNS, 10/7/87 and Hacheston, EMH, 19/7/87, both near R. Deben,TM35, v.c. 25.

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(iv) Ringsfield in old wet woodland, TM38, v.c. 25, JM and GWM, 20/9/87. Carexpallescens L., Pale Sedge, also there, in a new site. Thesium humifusum DC., Bastard Toadflax. Moulton, several large patches on chalk grassland, TL66, v.c. 26, EMH, 29/7/87. Probably the only extant colony in Suffolk, though it may just survive at Dalham. Polygonum oxyspermum Meyer & Bunge ex Ledeb. ssp. raii (Bab.) D. A. Webb & Chater, Ray's Knotgrass. Felixstowe, fourteen specimens on shingle beach beside Promenade associated with P. aviculare L., Knotgrass, TM23, v.c. 25, JJH, 20/9/87. Conf. FWS. Hb. Ipswich Museum. A rare or overlooked species in a well-trodden habitat. Recorded for Landguard Common by J. Atkins, 1909. Before the development of Felixstowe this area was the northern end of Landguard Common and probably near the site, one mile north of Landguard Fort, where the Rev. G. R. Leathes collected Otanthus maritimus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link, Sea Cottonweed, early in the 19th century, Hb. Ipswich Museum. Polygonum minus Huds., Small Water Pepper. Beccles, alongside dyke, TM49, v.c. 25, GWM, EB, PGL, JM, 19/9/87. Since 1930 the only East Suffolk records have been from Beccles in 1971 and Gisleham. It is interesting that this rare species has been seen again in Beccles. Rumex x pratensis Mert. & Koch, Curled x Broadleaved Dock. (R. crispus L. x R. obtusifoliusL.) Beccles, disturbed ground by river with both parent species, TM49 v c 25 GWM, EB, PGL, JM, 19/9/87. Second Suffolk record. First record: Landguard Common, AC, 1981 (Copping, 1983). Rumex x schreberi Hausskn., Curled x Great Water Dock. (R. crispus L. x R. hydrolapathum Huds.) Dunwich, Docwra's Dyke, TM46, v.c. 25, CBW, 26/7/87. Comm. GWM. Det. J. Akeroyd. Specimen now in Reading University Herbarium. Second Suffolk record. Rumexpalustris Sm., Marsh Dock. Beccles, near pit, TM49, v.c. 25, JM and TA, 1986-7. Also on banks of R. Waveney, 1986-7. Not previously recorded here. It is hoped that these interesting finds will encourage others to tackle Rumex species in Suffolk. Chenopodium ficifolium Sm., Fig-leaved Goosefoot. (i) Barnardiston, two plants in bean field, TL75, v.c. 26, RA, 30/8/87. (ii) Eriswell, in sugar-beet field, TL78, v.c. 26, MGR et al., Oct. 1985. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 24

SOME RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

Indian Mallow, by Edwina B e a u m o n t

Abutilon theophrasti Medic. It a p p e a r e d recently in an allotment in Bungay.

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(iii) Nayland, weed in garden, TL93, v.c. 26, EM-R, 12/8/86. 'One fine plant, the first in 17 years'. (iv) Tostock, arable field, TL96, v.c. 26, RA, 13/9/85. (v) Ipswich, waste ground near R. Gipping and a weed of shrubberies and flower-beds, TM14, v.c. 25, EMH, 1984-7. Perhaps increasing in the Ipswich area, but generally uncommon. Nigella damascena L., Love-in-a-Mist. (i) Bredfield, disturbed ground near pond, TM25, v.c. 25, 1985. Recorded by the late Mrs. E. Szlichcinska. (ii) Beccles, waste ground, TM49, v.c. 25, GWM, EB, PGL, JM, 19/9/87. Both from garden waste, doubtless. Second and third Suffolk records. Aconitum napellus L. sensu lato, Monkshood. (i) Cowlinge, one plant on roadside by stream, TL75, v.c. 26, R A , 10/8/87. Known here for six years. (ii) Blaxhall, edge of heath, TM35, v.c. 25, IMV, 1983. Two clumps in ditch. Both records must refer to garden outcasts that have persisted. Papaver argemone L., Prickly Poppy. (i) Creeting St. Mary, on sandy bank outside pits, TM05, v.c. 25, EMH, 1/7/87. (ii) Woodbridge, Kyson Point, TM24, v.c. 25, IMV, 13/10/87. By railway bridge, rooted in detritus and mortar. This and the following record comm. EM-R. (iii) Boyton, edge of track by arable field, TM34, v.c. 25, IMV, 21/6/84. This plant is now reduced to the odd plant or two in the occasional site. Cochlearia officinalis L. ssp. officinalis, Common Scurvy Grass. Oulton, a few specimens with fruits, margin of industrial site beside Lake Lothing, TM59, v.c. 25, EMH & FWS, 14/4/87. Several seedlings observed in other areas, F WS, 23/7/87. This record is of special interest as the species had not been observed for several years and was considered to have become extinct. Hind's Flora records it for Oulton Marshes. There is a record in FWS's copy of Hind's Flora in S. J. Batchelder's handwriting for Waldringfield, 1935. Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz, Gold of Pleasure. Hopton, field edge near Fen, TL98, v.c. 26, TC, 1986. Det. P. J. Wanstall. One of very few West Suffolk records since 1950. Agrimonia procera Wallr., Fragrant Agrimony. Nacton, near Goldsmith's Covert, TM24, v.c. 25, STNC Recording Team, July 1986. Comm. CB. Edge of track on S. side of wood on sandy soil. Second record for East Suffolk. Geum rivale L., Water Avens. Cransford, single specimen, first recorded in 1984, in old meadow. Increasing, 1987. TM36, v.c. 25, DFS. An uncommon species in East Suffolk. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 24

r SOME RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

Geum x intermedium Ehr., Hybrid Avens. Onehouse, Northfield Wood, TM05, v.c. 26, OODS and PFS, 20/5/87. Both parent species present. This wood is just inside the West Suffolk vice-county. Fragaria moschata Duchesne, Hautbois Strawberry. (i) Barking Woods, TM05, v.c. 25, FWS, 1987. (ii) Flixton Churchyard, TM38, v.c. 25, PGL and GWM, 2/5/87. These are the only recent records. Prunus serotina Ehrh., Black Cherry. Native of N. America. An uncommon garden tree. (i) Rushmere St Andrew, three young trees, two flowering, growing among tall Gorse bushes on Common, TM14, v.c. 25, FWS, 3/6/87, conf. EMH. Hb.E&MH. (ii) Purdis Farm, one non-flowering sapling in damp woodland. Decoy Ponds, TM24, v.c. 25, FWS, 3/6/87. First Suffolk records. Astragalus glycyphyllos L., Milk Vetch, Wild Liquorice. (i) Gazeley, one large plant on chalky bank near Slade Bottom, TL76, v.c. 26, E M H , July 1987. (ii) Brandon Park, open area at edge of forest ride, TL78, v.c. 26, JL, 1987. These are thought to be the only recent records from the Breckland. Geraniumphaeum L., Dusky Cranesbill. Hitcham, large well-established colony on roadside, TL95, v.c. 26, JH, 1987. An escape from cultivation. Euphorbia cyparissias L., Cypress Spurge. Rushmere St Andrew, new and increasing colony on Common, TM14, v.c. 25, FWS, 3/6/87. Impatiensparviflora DC., Small Balsam. (i) Gt. Cornard, N. corner of Peck's Meadow, under Poplars, TL84, v.c. 26, AB, 22/7/86. Col. EM-R. (ii) Rougham, dominant in roadside wood, TL86, v.c. 26, EMH, August 1986. (iii) Pakenham, TL96, v.c. 26, RA, 1983. Also SS and JS, 16/11/86. (iv) Baylham House Farm by R. Gipping, TM15, v.c. 25, MNS, 18/7/84. Still in a shelter-belt at Eriswell, where it has been known by Dr. D. E. Coombe for more than 30 years. Impatiens glandulifera Royle, Himalayan Balsam. A large number of new localities have been reported since 1983, when we last supplemented the Flora records. In v.c. 26: TL75, Wickhambrook by stream, RA, 31/8/87. TL76, Herringswell, along Green Lane, EMH, 29/9/87. TL94, Bildeston by stream, 2/7/85 and Groton Wood, 28/9/86, EM-R. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 24

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 24

In v.c. 25: TM05, Needham Market, MNS, 21/7/84; Stowmarket, 3 sites, JH, OODS, EMH, 1987; Ear! Stonham, top of ditch, EMH, 25/7/87. TM25, Melton, Leeks Hill, EMH, 30/6/85. TM38, South Elmham, EB and GWM, 6/6/87. Hypericum maculatum Crantz, ssp. obtusiusculum (Tourlet) Hayek, Imperforate St John's Wort. Beccles, beside disused railway track, TM49, v.c. 25, FWS and PGL, Sept. 1987. Very rare. This is the only post-1980 record for the County, as far as is known. Myriophyllum verticillatum L., Whorled Water-milfoil. (i) Flixton, dykes in grazing marsh, TM28, v.c. 25, SH, 1987. (ii) Leiston Marshes, IMV and PFC, 12/8/83 and Eastbridge, GWM, 14/7/85, both TM46, v.c. 25. An uncommon species. No recent West Suffolk records. Scandixpecten-veneris L., Shepherd's Needle. During 1986 and 1987 several colonies of Shepherd's Needle, some very large indeed, were reported. After the paucity of records in the preceding twenty years, it is good to be able to list these sites. (i) Sowley Green, several hundred plants in unsprayed field of winter barley and in two other fields, TL75, v.c. 26, RA, 27/5/87 and 22/7/87. (ii) Hawkedon, edge of bean field, and widespread in barley field opposite, TL75, v.c. 26, EMC, July 1987. (iii) Whepstead, about ten plants at edge of wheat field, TL85, v.c. 26, EMC, June 1987. (iv) Wattisham, one plant in arable field, JH, 9/5/87, and Onehouse, small colony, JH and OODS, 10/6/87. Both TM05, v.c. 26. (v) Cookley, in three fields, TM37, v.c. 25,1987. Comm. PGL. (vi) Brampton, TM48, v.c. 25, GP, 1987. Hundreds of thousands of plants in winter wheat, virtually to the exclusion of all other weeds. Also a little in the field opposite. Reported also by other recorders. (vii) Sotterley, very large colony in wheat, May 1987 and Weston, in another arable field, June 1987. Both TM48, v.c. 25, JM. Pimpinella major (L.) Huds., Greater Burnet Saxifrage. (i) Cowlinge, TL75, v.c. 26, R A , August 1987. Two sites, one with about 20 plants on a wide grassy verge. (ii) Hitcham, 3 - 4 plants, and Wattisham, about 12 plants, both on roadsides, TM05, v.c. 26, JH, August 1987. (iii) Hasketon, TM24, v.c. 25, EM-R, 4/10/87. One fine plant on Protected Roadside Verge. A rare plant in the County. Not previously recorded from the Hasketon area. There is another (confidential) site in TM24, SG, 1986. Here the plant is var. rosea (Koch) Druce, (FWS).

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SOME RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

Heracleum mantegazzianum Somm. & Lev., Giant Hogweed. (i) Cowlinge, in scrub in Branches Park, TL75, v.c. 26, GC, 1987. (ii) Nr. Lackford Bridge, along ditch, TL77, v.c. 26, EMH, 8/6/86. (iii) Onehouse, a huge colony on ditch-banks and in meadows, TM05, v.c. 26, O O D S , 27/5/87. (iv) Flixton, TM38, v.c. 25, GWM and PGL, 2/5/87. Also SH, 1987. Still persists in most of the sites mentioned in Simpson's Flora. Hottoniapalustris L., Water Violet. Recorded in several new sites since the publication of the Flora. (i) Little Cornard, pond in Mumford's Wood, August 1986, and Bures St. Mary, Arger Fen, pond in plantation, 1987. Both TL93, v.c. 26, NRM. Little Cornard record conf. EM-R, 30/10/86. (ii) Oakley and Hoxne, dykes in grazing marshes, TM17, v.c. 25, SH. 1987. Samolus valerandi L., Brookweed. Flixton, in dyke with Zannichellia palustris L., Horned Pondweed. TM38, v.c. 25, SH, 1987. A new site for another scarce species. Other post-Flora records: Bawdsey, EMH, 1985 and Leiston Marshes, IMV and PFC, 1984. Limonium humile Mill., Lax-flowered Sea Lavender. Levington Creek, TM23, v.c. 25, CB, 1986. A new site for a decreasing species. It is still locally frequent in the Stour Estuary on both the Suffolk and Essex sides, but rare in the Orwell Estuary (FWS). Echium plantagineum L., Purple Viper's Bugloss. Beccles, many plants on a stretch of newly laid clay, TM49, v.c. 25, GWM, EB, PGL, JM, 19/9/87. An uncommon casual. Only the fourth Suffolk record. Myosotis laxa Lehm, ssp. caespitosa (C. F. Schultz) Hyl. ex Nordh., Tufted Forget-me-not. (i) Gt. Cornard, hillside bog, TL83, v.c. 26, EM-R, 24/6/82. (ii) Hemley, Kirton, and Martlesham, TM24, v.c. 25, STNC Recording Team, 1986. Comm. CB. (iii) Leiston Marshes, TM46, v.c. 25, IMV and PFC, 16/6/84. (iv) Reydon Wood Nature Reserve, 4/8/86 and Blythburgh, 23/7/84, both TM47, v.c. 25, PGL. Under-recorded in the Flora. A fairly frequent species. Stachys x ambigua Sm., Hybrid Woundwort. (S. palustris L. x S. sylvatica L.) (i) Langham Bridge, several plants in wet meadow, TM35, v.c. 25, MNS, 21/8/87 (ii) Beccles, TM49, v.c. 25, GWM, EB, PGL, JM, 19/9/87. Only two previous records since 1930. Rare or overlooked. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 24

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Nepeta x faassenii Bergm. ex Steam, Garden Catmint. Chilton, secondary grassland by new estate, TL84, v.c. 26, TWP, 1985. One plant only. Probably a garden throw-out. Det. Dr. R. M. Harley, 26/2/86. Specimen in Kew Herbarium. First Suffolk record. Salpichroa origanifolia (Lam.) Baillon, Cock's Eggs. Ipswich, waste ground near Woodbridge Rd., TM14, v.c. 25, MNS, 11/9/87. Scrambling over large hedge, in full flower. Second Suffolk record. The two sites in Simpson's Flora are one and the same. Parentucellia viscosa (L.) Caruel, Yellow Bartsia. Purdis Heath Golf Course, TM24, v.c. 25, STNC Recording Team, July 1986. Comm. CB. Probably introduced with grass-seed. A rare casual in Suffolk. Verbascum phlomoides L., Woolly Mullein. (i) West Stow, on roadside, TL87, v.c. 26, PGL, 27/8/86. First West Suffolk record. (ii) Bury St. Edmunds, waste ground just N. of old A45 near the Rougham boundary, TL86, v.c. 26, EM-R, 18/8/87. Second West Suffolk record. Sambucus nigra L. var. laciniata L., Cut-leaved Elderberry. Chediston, single specimen, Gregory's Farm, Chediston Green, TM37, v.c. 25, GB, 1987. Det. R. Driscoll, Hb. Norwich Castle Museum. Comm. Mrs B. Hancy. An infrequent variety with few records. Campanula portenschlagiana Schultes, Adria Bellflower. (i) Ipswich, Derby Rd. Station, TM14, v.c. 25, FWS, 1982. A single seedling grew under the arch of the railway road bridge, 1982-5. Not a garden introduction or throw-out. Destroyed by spraying. (ii) Bungay, garden walls, TM38, v.c. 25, GWM, EB, CPB, 5/4/87. A rockery plant occasionally established on walls and pavements away from houses. A native of the mountains of W. Yugoslavia. First and second Suffolk records. Tragopogon porrifolius L., Salsify. (i) CreetingSt. Mary, by slip-road from A45.TM15, v.c. 25, PMB, 14/6/87. About 19 or 20 plants in flower on grassy verge. (ii) Tunstall, in short grass alongside the B1069, TM35, v.c. 25, June-July, 1987. Noticed by a number of recorders, including GP, MNS, PGL' EM-R. A very large colony, mostly on the S. side of the road. An earlier record from Nayland, TL93, v.c. 26, was unaccountably missed from previous lists. One plant was seen on secondary grassland between the R. Stour and the A134, EM-R, 7/6/79. Butomus umbellatus L., Flowering Rush. (i) CreetingSt. Mary, edge of lake, TM05, v.c. 25, E M H , JH, MK, 21/9/87. (ii) Redgrave, TM07, v.c. 26, SH, 1987.

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SOME RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

(iii) (iv) (v) (vi)

Homersfield, TM28, v.c. 25, SH, 1987. Mettingham, marsh dyke, TM39, v.c. 25, JM, 30/6/86. Holton Park, TM47, v.c. 25, PGL, 1/7/84. Somerleyton, marsh dykes, TM49, v.c. 25, JM, 6/7/86. This beautiful plant still has a foothold in a few parts of the County. In the R. Gipping and R. Brett its decline has been quite disastrous.

Ruppia cirrhosa (Petagna) Grande, Spiral Tassel Pondweed. (i) Ramsholt, brackish ditch, TM34, v.c. 25, FWS, 1986. (ii) Bawdsey, saline lagoon, TM34, v.c. 25, RSKB, 4/7/85. (iii) Benacre Denes National Nature Reserve, saline gravel pit, TM58, v.c. 25, RSKB, 4/6/85. Possibly overlooked in brackish ditches, growing with R. maritima L. (FWS). These are the only recent records. Lilium candidum L., Madonna Lily. Ipswich, single specimen growing among nettles and scrub near Pond Hall. Observed for several years, probably a garden throw-out. Flowering for the first time in 1987. TM14, v.c. 25, TH. Det. FWS, 14/7/87. This Lily is occasionally introduced into churchyards, as at Burgh, TM25, v.c. 25, FWS, 23/5/85. First Suffolk records. Ipheion uniflorum (R. C. Graham) Rafin., Spring Star-flower. (i) Mettingham, churchyard, TM38, v.c. 25, PGL, 3/5/87. Also ETD. (ii) Weston, old tip, TM48, v.c. 25, JM, 28/4/87. Two more records, now seven, of a garden outcast or relic which is able to survive for a short time at least in the wild. Ruscus aculeatus L., Butcher's Broom. (i) Stansfield, roadside hedge for 8 - 1 0 yards, TL75, v.c. 26, EMC, 12/9/87. (ii) Flixton, roadside hedge near Church, TM38, v.c. 25, MP, 6/5/85. Comm. EM-R. Possibly long-standing introductions. Few records from West Suffolk. Leucojum aestivum L., Summer Snowflake. Spexhall, churchyard, TM38, v.c. 25, PGL, 15/5/87. An infrequent relic of cultivation, which may however persist for many years. Gladiolus byzantinus Mill., Eastern Gladiolus. Beccles, waste ground, TM49, v.c. 25, JM, 12/6/87. Second Suffolk record. A plant frequently grown in gardens, which one might have expected to see more often on waste land. Puccinellia fasciculata (Torr.) Bicknell, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass. Wherstead, near Bourne Bridge, TM14, v.c. 25, EMH, 11/10/85. Many tall plants on sides of ruts in former grazing meadow frequently flooded by brackish water. Det. Dr. T. A. Cope, 1986. Hb. E & MH.

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Catabrosa aquatica (L.) Beauv., Water Whorl-grass. A number of new sites have been reported since the Flora. (i) Eye, Dove Valley, dominant in drainage ditch, and also Oakley, both TM17,v.c. 25, SH, 1987. (ii) Mendham, TM28, v.c. 25, SH, 1987. (iii) Middleton, abundant, TM46, v.c. 25, PGL, 19/6/84. (iv) Blythburgh, TM47, v.c. 25, PGL, 23/7/84. Glyceria x pedicellata Towns., Hybrid Sweet-grass. (G. fluitans (L.) R. Br. X G. plicata Fries) (i) Stuston Common, TM17, v.c. 25, STNC Recording Team, 1985. (ii) St. Michael South Elmham, TM38, v.c. 25, EB and GWM, 16/6/87. A rare grass; few recent records. Bromus secalinus L., Rye Brome. Clare, in wheat field, TL74, v.c. 26, FE, 2/8/87. Many plants 4' tall in the crop itself and a smaller number on the headland. Det. PJOT, 8/87, as var. hirtus (F. Schultz) Aschers. & Graebn., with hairy spikelets. Second post-1950 record for v.c. 26. The 1978 Newmarket record, although in administrative West Suffolk, was in v.c. 29 (Cambs.). Bromus x pseudothominii P. M. Smith, Hybrid Soft Brome. (B. hordeaceus L. ssp. hordeaceus x B. lepidus Holmberg) This grass was not recorded in the Flora for East Suffolk, but it has become apparent that it is quite frequent on the sandy soils of the eastern side of the County. It occurs on sandy banks and verges, by tracks and on waste land. Recent East Suffolk records, in chronological order, include: (i) Landguard Common, TM23, Wild Flower Society meeting, 1983. (ii) Bungay, old railway station, TM38, AC and GWM, 13/6/84. Hb. E & MH. (iii) Freston Hill, on verge, TM14, EMH, 22/6/84. Conf. AC. Hb. E & MH. (iv) Snape Warren, edge of track, TM35, E M H , 24/6/84. (v) Ipswich, grassy field edge by Airport, TM14, EMH. Coll. 23/6/81, but not identified until 1985. (vi) Hacheston, sandy verge, TM35, EMH, 19/7/87. Recent West Suffolk records: (i) Barnardiston, rough grassland, TL75, RA, 1/6/87. Conf. PJOT. Hb. E & MH. (ii) Lakenheath, TL78, PJOT and MGR. 1987. One of the parent species, B. lepidus, appears now to be rare in the County. At its former site on Freston Hill (1977 specimen EMH, conf. AC, 1984) only B. hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus and the hybrid can now be found. Bromus willdenowii Kunth, Rescue Grass. Levington, appeared in a garden in some quantity, TM23, v.c. 25, IJK, 1987. Det. MNS. Conf. PJOT. Second Suffolk record and a very interesting find. The first record was in 1958 from Combs Tannery, FWS. The grass was then called B. unioloides Kunth.

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SOME RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf., Annual Beard-grass. Beccles, field entrance, TM49, v.c. 25, TA and JM, 20/7/87. Conf. EB and GWM, and also PJOT. Abundant also near river on old railway track. A very good find and the second Suffolk record. Previous record 1936, FWS. Specimens from Beccles coll. FWS in Sept. 1987 now in Hb. E & MH. Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv., Cockspur Grass. (i) Hitcham, Brick House Farm, among Asters in garden, TL95, v.c. 26, ALB, August 1984. Again, Sept. 1987. (ii) Martlesham, in garden with newly-planted trees, TM24, v.c. 25, JF, Oct. 1985. Det. MNS. An occasional casual in Suffolk. Setariapumila (Poiret) Schultes, Yellow Bristle-grass. (i) Lakenheath, appeared in garden, TL78, v.c. 26, MGR and PJOT, 1987. (ii) Nayland, weed in rose-bed, one plant only, TL93, v.c. 26, EM-R, 15/9/86. Det. J. M. Mullin. Specimen in BM. (iii) Beccles, waste ground, TM49, v.c. 25, GWM, EB, PGL, JM, 19/9/87. Another occasional casual in Suffolk. Typha x glauca Godron, Hybrid Reedmace. (T. angustifoliah. x T. latifoliaL.) Carlton Marshes, TM59, v.c. 25, late July 1987. Found during a Wild Flower Society meeting. Det. A. Newton. Probably more frequent in Suffolk than the records suggest. Very variable. Scirpus sylvaticus L., Wood Club-rush. Hawkedon, on N. bank of river, TL75, v.c. 26, EMC, 24/8/87. Known here by Mrs. Coe for twenty years. Perhaps less rare than thought a few years ago. Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl, Great Fen Sedge. Syleham, in drainage ditch, TM17, v.c. 25, SH, 1987. A particularly interesting record, because this species has not been found before in this part of the Waveney Valley. Carex elongata L., Elongated Sedge. Reydon, four specimens in damp woodland, TM47, v.c. 25, FWS, 26/5/87. Conf. A. O. Chater. An uncommon species with few records. Hb. E & MH. Carex demissa Homem., Common Yellow Sedge. Barnby and North Cove, in marshes, TM49, v.c. 25, JM, 1/6/87. Conf. GWM. A new site for a sedge rare in Suffolk. Carex acuta L., Slender Tufted Sedge. Gt. Cornard, Peck's Meadow, TL84, v.c. 26, EM-R, 30/7/86. This is a river-side meadow liable to flooding. A rare sedge in Suffolk. Very few recent records. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 24

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 24

Dactylorhiza x transiens (Druce) Soo, Common Spotted x Heath Spotted Orchid. (D. fuchsii (Druce) Soo x D. maculata (L.) Soo ssp. ericetorum (Linton) P. F. Hunt & Summerhayes) Elmswell, single plant in meadow scheduled for building, TL96, v.c. 26, E M - R , 11/7/79. No parents seen. Dug up and presented to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Here it was seen flowering in 1987 by M. N. Sanford. Now a very fine specimen with at least six large flower spikes. First record for West Suffolk. Key to

Contributors

Abrehart, T. Addington, Rev. R. Barnes, Dr. R. S. K. Barsted, C. P. Beardall, Dr. C. Beaumont, Dr. E. Black, A. Bloomfield, Dr. G. Brinkley, P. M. Bull, A. L. Cammell, Miss P. F. Coe, Mrs. E . M. Copping, A. Craven, T. Crompton, Mrs. G. Daniels, E . T. Edmonds, Mrs. F. Foster, J. Gooch, Mrs. S. Harris, Mrs. J. Heath, J. J. H o o t o n , Mrs. S. Hutton, T. Hyde, Mrs. E . M.

TA RA RSKB CPB CB EB AB GB PMB ALB PFC EMC AC TC GC ETD FE JF SG JH JJH SH TH EMH

Kershaw, Mrs. M. Killeen, I . J . Last, J. Lawson, P. G. Maybury, G. W. Miller, N. R. Milne-Redhead, E. Muddeman, J. Palmer, T. W. Parker, Mrs. M. Peck, G. Rich, Dr T. C. G. Rutterford, M. G. Sanford, M . N . Sheppy, Mrs. O. O. D. Sheppy, P. F. Simpson, F. W. Stone, J. Stone, Mrs. S. Strauss, D. F. Szlichcinska, Mrs. E. Trist, P. J. O. Vaughan, Mrs. I. M. Westall, C. B.

MK IJK JL PGL GWM NRM EM-R JM TWP MP GP TCGR MGR MNS OODS PFS FWS JS SS DFS ES PJOT IMV CBW

References Copping, A. (1983). Plant Records from Landguard Common (1979-82) Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 19, 374. Simpson. F. W. (1982). Simpsons Flora of Suffolk. Ipswich: Suffolk Naturalists' Society. Tutin, T. G. etal., eds. (1964-1980). Flora Europaea, 1-5, Cambridge. E. M. Hyde, Parkside, Woolverstone, Ipswich IP9 1AR.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 24

F. W. Simpson, 40, Ruskin Rd., Ipswich IP4 1PT

SOME RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

Additions to Simpson's Flora Trifolium ornithopodioides L., Birdsfoot Fenugreek. A new vice-county record. Red Lodge Warren, Freckenham, TL 66, v.c. 26, D. Dupree, c. July 15th 1953. A large colony of Birdsfoot Fenugreek was discovered on sandy waste ground by a sand-pit on t h e E . side of the A l l . Comm. P. H. Oswald, (March 1987) who had also visited the site on 19th July 1953 and again on 15th June 1954. Voucher specimen in Cambridge University Herbarium. This is the only known occurrence of T. ornithopodioides in West Suffolk and is a most interesting record. This particular area is at the moment undergoing considerable upheaval. It is just possible that the plant may re-appear as a result of the excavations. Dracunculus vulgaris Schott, Dragon Arum. A Dragon A r u m appeared in a garden near Ipswich c. 1972. Not planted. Reported in the Wild Flower Society Magazine, M a y - A u g . , 1973. Comm. P. M. Brinkley. Further details, E. J. Clement. Similarly, another plant sprang up in a Chelmondiston garden in about 1982, definitely not planted. Presumably both of garden origin, though the Chelmondiston house was built on former arable land. A native of the Mediterranean region. No previous Suffolk records.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 24