Compiled by Matthew Berry

Compiled by Matthew Berry

Flat 2, Lascelles Mansions, 8–10 Lascelles Terrace, Eastbourne, BN21 4BJ

After various email communications, David Pearman and I have jointly decided to use this month’s preamble to say something on the important subject of herbarium specimens and alien plant records. As we take advantage of the latest innovations to record plants and make use of that data in the here and now, it is all too easy to lose sight of what future botanists might require from us in the way of evidence for what will by then be historical records. Photographs are very useful and will of course form a part of that evidence but sometimes there is no substitute for actual preserved material, particularly in the case of remarkable records.

What would constitute a remarkable alien plant record? Any definition is bound to be a little arbitrary, but we think any taxon that is new to Britain and Ireland or for which there has been only one previous record would make a good starting point. Then there are hybrids and various critical taxa which are always difficult to name and where taxonomic changes are likely to be of significance. It could also be extended to taxa that are traditionally very rare or which have turned up in what seems to be an unusual habitat, or suspected non-native taxa which have defied identification completely or only been identified to family or genus.

When considering whether to collect material and/or how much to collect, a responsible balance should be struck. The days of collecting vast quantities of material to be shared among many institutions and individuals must firmly remain a thing of the past. On the other hand a specimen should consist of enough material to allow for reliable identification. Eric Clement has commented on the sometimes mistaken practice of collecting too conservatively and thus leaving an inadequate specimen to posterity.

We surmise that one of the reasons for the relative scarcity of modern specimens in existing herbaria, is a perception that they lack the facilities for the accession of new material. Why go through the time-consuming business of preserving specimens when there is nowhere they can be deposited on a permanent basis, accessible to future generations? But this matter has now been discussed with the Natural History Museum, who are keen to host such a scheme. They are looking to put in place a process that would allow new records to be deposited and vouchered there.

We do not wish to be prescriptive; we merely ask that members give some thought to these matters, particularly in light of this recent development. David Pearman has expressed a willingness to receive specimens from members which he would then pass onto the Natural History Museum. The specimens should be well pressed, with full details of date, quantity, collector, habitat, grid reference, locality and any other notes the collector thinks might be relevant. They should also be unmounted. We will gently encourage the retention of material where we judge that it would be good practice, while recognising that in the end it is a matter that must be left to the discretion of individual recorders. Vicecounty Recorders could also have an important role to play and might be particularly well placed to promote the case for making vouchers at the vice-county level, if not also in the collection and forwarding of material.

For an example of how much information an herbarium sheet can provide, see the scanned image on p.44 of this issue.

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T. Durand & Schinz (Diss Grass, Rope Grass). Porthilly Cove, Rock (SW93667550), 21/5/2022, D. & A. Pearman, T. Nightingale (det. E.J. Clement): three wellestablished clumps on rocks at base of low cliffs which are densely covered with Hedera hibernica (Atlantic Ivy), Tamarix gallica (Tamarisk) and Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn). The rocks which are above HWMST have only a thin scattering of Crithmum maritimum (Rock Samphire) and Anthyllis vulneraria (Kidney Vetch). Apparently new to Britain and Ireland, this grass is now quite widely available from nurseries and it is somewhat surprising that it has not been recorded in the wild before now. The houses above the cliffs are mainly replacements of older bungalows with extensively landscaped gardens. It was not possible to see if it was growing in those.

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus, Porthilly Cove, East Cornwall (v.c. 2). David Pearman A densely tufted perennial grass up to 2 or 3m tall, native to Italy, Sicily, Tunisia and Morocco. The inflorescence is a long, interrupted, more or less one-sided panicle with drooping branches of many spikelets, c.12–17mm long. The spikelets are solitary, laterally compressed, of 2–5 florets and break up above the glumes. The scarious, subequal glumes are lanceolate-aristate and 6–12mm long. The leathery, often reddish lemmas are silkily hairy in the lower halves, have scarious margins, bidentate tips and a 2mm awn. The leaves are linear and have very rough, sharp margins, up to 100cm long and 4–7mm wide. The ligule is a lanceolate-lacerate membrane, 8–20mm long. It is a species of dry, sunny, scrubby terrain and rocky places, often coastal on calcareous substrates. The second of the two given English names is a reference to its local use in rope making. The genus is monotypic.

Malope trifida (Mallow-wort). Newton Abbot (SX8472472885), 6/2022, R. Smith, J. Day & P. Sansum (det. P. Sansum): in a reseeded roadside below Highweek. Other aliens found on these verges in May and June included Eschscholzia californica, Nigella damascena, N. hispanica, Adonis annua, Silene pendula and Centaurea cyanus. A western Mediterranean annual (Malvaceae) with a conspicuous epicalyx of three ovate-orbicular segments. M. malacoides L. has also occurred, it is a perennial with a stem hairy above (vs glabrous) and leaves longer than wide (vs mostly as wide or wider than long). For G.M.S. Easy’s drawings see p.1 of BSBI News 53. As well as such mixes, it is perhaps a garden escape and has also been in bird seed (it is a common field weed of N. Africa) and wool. Stace (2019): 399.

Senecio inaequidens (Narrow-leaved Ragwort). Okehampton (SX593961), 17/7/2022, H. Marshall (conf. & comm. R. Hodgson): one plant in a car park. The first v.c.4 record. A S. African perennial (Asteraceae), formerly a wool alien, increasing in a variety of ruderal habitats since at least the early 2000s. Clement et al (2005): 337. Stace (2019): 801.

Lathyrus grandiflorus (Two-flowered Everlasting-pea). Yeovil (ST56971626), 18/6/2022, D. Leadbetter (comm. D. Leadbetter): extensive colony on west side of Yeovil Pen Mill station, with many plants escaped onto bank outside. Known here since 1989. Clement et al (2005): 169. Stace (2019): 173.

Spiraea × rosalba (Intermediate Bridewort). Taunton (ST22), 19/6/2022, S.J. Leach (comm. S.J. Parker & S.J. Leach): a single plant on a rough scrubby bank in Longrun Meadow, where unlikely to have been planted. The first v.c.5 record, it might also be a first record for south-west England. A sterile garden hybrid (Rosaceae) with pale pink flowers in a cylindrical panicle and narrowly ovate leaves. Stace (2019): 204.

Epilobium pedunculare (Rockery Willowherb). West Porlock (SS84), 8/5/2022, G. Lavender (comm. S.J. Parker & S.J. Leach): two spots in West Porlock Woods. The first v.c.5 records. A New Zealand perennial (Onagraceae) sometimes grown in gardens. A much rarer escape than E. brunnescens (New Zealand Willowherb), largely restricted to the north and west of Britain and the west of Ireland where sometimes well naturalised. See Adventives & Aliens News 18, v.c.110.

Peltaria alliacea (Garlic Cress). Upper Swainswick (ST758682), 21/5/2022, R. Randall: a colony extending for c.2m on west-facing, sunny hedge bank; a purple-leaved form likely escaped from cultivation. It seems to be the second British/Irish record. A tufted perennial (Brassicaceae) from central Europe, grown as a leaf vegetable for salads. The other known site is in Armadale in v.c.104, where it was first recorded in 2006 (‘large clump top of shore’) and last formally recorded in 2015. Rob Randall could not be certain if the poor fruiting of the Upper Swainswick colony indicated a hybrid (perhaps with P. angustifolia) or self-sterility. Stace (2019): 446.

Akebia × pentaphylla (Makino) Makino (Five-leaf Akebia). Chandlers Ford (SU434206), 30/3/2022, D. Leadbetter (comm. D. Leadbetter): growing in hedge in Winchester Road between SU43462067

Peltaria alliacea, Upper Swainswick (whole plant, leaf bases, fruit), North Somerset (v.c. 6). Rob Randall

and SU43492070. Discovered here by Martin Rand in 2021. A semi-evergreen woody climber (Lardizabalaceae) which is a hybrid of two east Asian species, A. quinata (Houtt.) Decne. and A. trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. The leaflets have sinuate-crenate margins and are mostly grouped in fives but also occasionally threes or fours. See Adventives & Aliens News 26, v.c.9.

Akebia × pentaphylla, Chandlers Ford, South Hampshire (v.c. 11). David Leadbetter

Berberis aggregata (Clustered Barberry). Battramsley (SZ30209896), 16/10/2021, M. Rowe (conf. E.J. Clement): 2m bush with arching branches, in scrub just south of Setley Pond. The yellow flowers were seen earlier (22/7/2021). A garden shrub native to western China, with flowers/berries in crowded panicles. Stace (2019): 106.

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. var. integrifolium Wimm. & Grab. (Creeping Thistle). Lymington area (SZ29169613), 3/7/2020, M. Rowe (conf. E.J. Clement): on roadside by Gordleton Mill (restaurant), Silver Street. A variety that has sub-entire leaves with somewhat arachnoid hairy lower surfaces.

Amsinckia micrantha (Common Fiddleneck). Malta Barracks (SU85805253), 12/7/2021, C. Reid (conf. A. Mundell from photos): in Forge Lane. This annual of light soils (Boraginaceae) native to western N. America has always been very rare in Hampshire as a whole, with only 8 previous records. Stace (2019): 594–595.

Crocus kotschyanus (Kotschy’s Crocus). Church Crookham (SU81005199), 12/10/2021, A. Mundell: many hundreds over c.20m × 20m area of grassy triangle beneath Sweet Chestnuts beside Portland Drive. Spreading from planted, this species is new to Hampshire. See Adventives & Aliens News 25, v.c.95. Stace (2019): 935.

Amaranthus deflexus (Perennial Pigweed). Eastbourne (TV59349955), 12/8/2021, M. Berry (conf. E.J. Clement): two plants in gutter, Dacre Road (Old Town). At least one plant was still there in 2022 (M. Berry pers. obs.). The second post-2000 Sussex record. A S. American perennial (Amaranthaceae) which along with the rather similar A. blitum (Guernsey Pigweed) seems to be increasing in this country, particularly where the climate is more ‘Mediterranean’. Adventives & Aliens News 12, v.c.17. Stace (2019): 530.

Nicotiana mutabilis Stehmann & Semir (Changing Tobacco). Eastbourne (TV59699734), 15/7/2022, M. Berry (conf. E.J. Clement): one self-sown plant at base of Elm stump, Rowsley Road (Meads). Also with one self-sown plant of Althaea cannabina L. (Hemp-leaved Hollyhock), originating from the same garden. It has numerous, relatively small (c.3cm long and limb c.2cm across), slightly nodding flowers starting pure white and fading to pale pink and darker pink shades and with a pale green throat. A native of Brazil (Solanaceae) and currently in vogue as a tall, branched, colourful garden annual, which has the capacity to escape, at least on a chalky soil. Unusually for this genus the flowers are scentless.

Levisticum officinale (Lovage). Eastbourne (TQ62420024), 17/6/2022, M. Berry (conf. E.J. Clement): one plant, basal leaves only (and smelling very strongly of Celery), self-sown in soil pocket in gutter, Bexhill Road (Seaside). The second Sussex record. A more or less glabrous perennial (Apiaceae), probably native in Iran and widely naturalised in Europe, particularly where mountainous. In this country it is cultivated for flavouring and also almost certainly grown decoratively. This plant seems to

have arisen from a stray seed originating in a nearby garden, where a c.2m plant of Lovage was observed above a high wall. Clement et al (2005): 206. Stace (2019): 861.

Isatis tinctoria (Woad). Norwich (TG235083), 19/5/2021, L. Parkerson: seemingly persisting in the Mountergate area of the city, where first recorded in 2018. A more or less glabrous biennial or perennial (Brassicaceae) found throughout Europe. It is thought some recent records might be connected to a renewed interest in natural plant dyes. Stace (2019): 445.

Gazania rigens (Treasureflower). Sheringham (TG15524349), 19/6/2022, S. Pryce (comm. J. Parmenter): self-seeded into a lawn in a seaside park, probably from nearby municipal beds. This seems to be the second v.c.27 record and the third for Norfolk. More self-seeded plants were seen later in a lawn adjacent to new housing by the entrance to a supermarket in North Walsham (TG284304). A more or less mat-forming perennial that has leathery, dark green leaves, densely white-felted below and ranging from entire to irregularly lobed. The solitary radiate capitula arise from the leaf axils on thickish peduncles. They are 4.0cm to 6.4cm across, the rays orange-yellow often with a dark basal blotch, the disc yellow or dark-coloured. The herbaceous

Gazania rigens, Sheringham, East Norfolk (v.c. 27). Suki Pryce phyllaries are partly fused into a cup-like structure and the achenes (cypselae) are densely hairy. A S. African native (Asteraceae), once only reliably hardy by the coast in the south of the country, and even then succumbing in severe winters, this picture might have changed somewhat in recent times and therefore also how frequently it occurs as a casual or established escape. Stace (2019): 768.

Luzula nivea (Snow-white Wood-rush). Near Horsford (TG17531732), 5/5/2022, J. Parmenter (comm. J. Parmenter): single plant by a bridleway at Broadland Country Park, a long way from nearest habitation. First record for both v.c.27 and Norfolk. A European native (Juncaceae) grown in gardens, best told from L. luzuloides (White Wood-rush) by its longer tepals. There are 58 records in the DDb (minus duplicates), most post-2010. Stace (2019): 987.

Urtica pilulifera (Roman Nettle). Burford (SO58086809), 9/7/2022, A. Woods (comm. J. Martin & M. Cousins): ‘a somewhat sad specimen’ in an Olive tree container in Burford House Garden Centre; ‘worth recording as it could be a case of next

Luzula nivea, Broadland Country Park, East Norfolk (v.c. 27). Jo Parmenter

stop nearby disturbed ground, and it’s useful to have a record of likely arrival routes’, a view I completely endorse. The first v.c.40 record. A monoecious Mediterranean annual (Urticaceae) with the female flowers in striking, globular clusters. It has or had a history as a garden casual in the London area, being introduced by accident periodically from southern Europe. Stace (2019): 305.

Galium murale (Small Goosegrass). Enderby (SP53209891), 6/7/2022, L.-A. Heald (conf. F. Rumsey/comm. G. Hall): on kerb edge in Kipling Drive. The first vice-county record. On 9/7/2022, Brian Laney found several more plants in Kipling Drive at SP53219891. Stace (2019): 574.

Euphorbia maculata (Spotted Spurge). Whatstandwell (SK33165437), 25/6/2022, M. Lacey (comm. M. Lacey): 4 plants growing alongside the A6 in front of a café. First v.c.57 record. A drawing of this procumbent N. American spurge, leaves of which usually but not invariably have dark blotches, graces the front cover of BSBI News 13, but unfortunately the stipules were omitted from it. It is increasing, probably being spread through the trade in potted plants. Stace (2019): 359.

Veronica gentianoides Vahl (Gentian Speedwell). Redcar Steelworks (NZ576251), 16/8/2017, V. Jones & D. Barlow: on soil mound, presumably of garden origin. A rather robust, tufted herbaceous perennial with shiny, opposite, obovate leaves and a long, terminal, spike-like inflorescence of usually pale-blue flowers marked with darker streaks, c.12mm across, and up to 45cm tall. A native of south-eastern Europe, there have been other recent records for v.cc.29 (2012), 40 (2011) and 63 (2013).

Phedimus kamtschaticus (Kamtchatka Stonecrop). Westhouse (SD67427376), 3/7/2022, H. Beck (comm. H. Beck): several clumps at wall base beside

Euphorbia maculata, Whatstandwell, Derbyshire (v.c. 57). Mick Lacey

A65. There are three other v.c.64 records in the DDb. Another east Asian species, P. hybridus (Siberian Stonecrop), is similar but has overwintering stems with evergreen leaves. P. kamtschaticus itself is split into var. kamtschaticus (apparently very rare in Britain and Ireland), var. ellacombeanus (with relatively broad, bright green leaves and orange follicles) and var. middendorfianus (with much narrower, darker green leaves). Stace (2019): 150.

Geranium × monacense nothovar. monacense (Munich Crane’s-bill). Yeadon (SE20564105), 23/6/2010, D.A. Broughton: originally planted but now naturalised in Engine Fields Nature Reserve (first recorded as G. × monacense).

Geranium × monacense nothovar. anglicum Yeo (Munich Crane’s-bill). Swillington (SE38223083), 3/5/2020, D.A. Broughton: first recorded in 2019 as a large clump at the base of a wall by a bridleway, Whitecliff Lane, but seeded further and inarguably in wild on ditch bank in 2020. The first v.c. record. The previous nothovar. could be mistaken for G. phaeum var. phaeum (Dusky Crane’s-bill) and this nothovar. for G. phaeum var. lividum, the G. phaeum parents in each case, but have more reflexed petals.

Allium siculum (Honey Garlic). South of Bell Busk (SD90455615), 31/5/2022, H. Beck (conf. M. Crewe/comm. H. Beck): many plants at two locations on the wooded banks of River Aire and nearby road verge. Adventives & Aliens News 25, v.c.64.

Allium siculum, South of Bell Busk, Mid-West Yorkshire (v.c. 64). Howard Beck

Anisantha rubens (Foxtail Brome). Aberdeen (NJ92990350), 15/7/2021, D. Elston (conf. O. Pescott/comm. D. Welch & D. Elston): on a protected section of pavement between kerb and metal barrier, by a roundabout near the River Dee, Kincorth; seven plants with 40 flowering heads. Still present in 2022, but reduced in number (D. Elston pers. comm.). There are historical records for the area, at Inverurie paper mill in 1893 and Aberdeen Town links in 1903, but probably both were in v.c.92. The first British record of the millennium, there are only 31 records for this Mediterranean grass in the DDb. Very like A. madritensis (Compact Brome) and in some cases not at all readily distinguishable from it, it typically has an extremely dense panicle with the rachis and the stem below the panicle both densely pubescent. British plants have often been associated with docks. Stace (2019): 1092.

Muscari botryoides (Compact Grape-Hyacinth). Inverness (NH68684577), 26/3/2021, I.P. Green: a number of plants scattered over small area under trees. A garden escape native to southern Europe. Differs from other Muscari species in its relatively short, broad leaves and more globose corollas. Stace (2019): 967.

Symphoricarpos × chenaultii (Chenault’s Coralberry). Carlabhagh (NB217427), 27/8/2021, P.A. Smith: originally planted, now spreading. The first v.c. record. A garden shrub (Caprifoliaceae), the hybrid of the N. American S. orbiculatus (Coralberry) and Mexican S. microphyllus, most likely to be found surviving or spreading, as in this case, from planted. Another garden hybrid, S. × doorenbosii (Doorenbos’ Coralberry) is very similar but has some leaf/fruit characters tending more to S. albus (Snowberry). Stace (2019): 827.

Allium porrum (Leek). Carlabhagh (NB22474288), 24/8/2021, P.A. Smith: one flowering plant on road verge, the first v.c. record. It occurred here with Diplotaxis tenuifolia (Perennial Wall-rocket), only the second v.c. record. A bulbous perennial (Amaryllidaceae) grown widely in gardens and allotments as a leaf vegetable and turning up

Anisantha rubens (habitat, inflorescence, rachis), Aberdeen, Kincardineshire (v.c. 91). David Elston relatively rarely in the ‘wild’, predominantly as a throw-out. It is possibly derived from A. ampeloprasum (Wild Leek). Stace (2019): 947–948.

Stipa brachychaeta Godr. (Punagrass). Gibberpatrick (S935094), 29/1/2022, M. Maddock (det. O. Pescott/comm. P.R. Green): one clump in garden where wild birds were fed a few years before. It was in flower at the end of January (P.R. Green pers. comm.). A densely tufted S. American perennial, an introduction in Australia and western N. America, it has a few records as a wool alien in this country. Drawing I of Figure 28 in Ryves et al (1996) depicts a single, enlarged (×10) floret of S. brachychaeta along with drawings of florets of 12 other Stipa species (and of another 12 species in Fig. 27). The whole lemma is hairy and has an awn of 10–18mm. It was not included in the list of Niger aliens (Poaceae) in Gordon Hanson’s 2019 paper. Recent molecular studies place it in another genus, Amelichloa brachychaeta (Godr.) Arriaga & Barkworth.

Clement, E.J. & Foster, M.C. 1994. Alien Plants of the British

Isles. Botanical Society of the British Isles, London. Clement, E.J., Smith, D.P.J. & Thirlwell, I.R. 2005. Illustrations of Alien Plants of the British Isles. Botanical Society of the

British Isles, London. Poland, J. & Clement, E.J. 2020. The Vegetative Key to the British

Flora (2nd edn). John Poland, Southampton. Ryves, T.B., Clement, E.J. & Foster, M.C. 1996. Alien grasses of the British Isles. Botanical Society of the British Isles,

London. Stace, C.A. 2019. New Flora of the British Isles (4th edn).

C & M Floristics, Middlewood Green, Suffolk.