Some Suffolk plant records 1977-1978

SOME SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

1977-8

E . M . H Y D E a n d M . A . HYDE

This is a list of some of the more interesting plants recorded by us in Suffolk during 1977 and 1978.

In each case the following Information is given: habitat and locality, vice-county (East or West Suffolk on the Watsonian vice-county system), Ordnance Survey 10km square, finder's initials, date of record and, where applicable, the name of the expert who determined the plant.

1. Ranunculus lingua L., greater spearwort, and R. peltatus Schrank ssp. peltatus.

O n O u t n e y C o m m o n , Bungay, E. Suffolk, TM39, M A H , 29/5/78. Both these species are frequent in Norfolk (Petch & Swann, 1968), a county in which suitable watery habitats are still c o m m o n . In fact, these records were made a few hundred metres south of the Norfolk-Suffolk boundary. Over most of Suffolk these plants are not common.

Also present was the very attractive water violet, Hottonia palustris L. 2. Papaver atlanticum (Ball) Cosson By coast road, Aldeburgh, E. Suffolk, TM45, E M H & M A H , 18/6/78. Det. E. J. Clement.

This orange-flowered perennial poppy presumably owes its origin here to d u m p e d garden rubbish and is now naturalised over several metres in the roadside ditch.

3. Rhynchosinapis cheiranthos (Vill.) dandy, wallflower cabbage.

F r o m Aldringham cum T h o r p e to Aldeburgh, E. Suffolk, TM45, E M H , 24/8/75, still there 18/6/78. This tall yellow crucifer, though a casual here, has become well established in considerable quantity among bracken on the heathland by the disused railway line.

4. Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All., bastardcabbage.

Ssp. Orientale (L.) Rouy & Fouc. has appeared on waste ground near Bourne Bridge, Wherstead, E. Suffolk, TM14, each year since 1975. In 1976, after the graveyard of the Stoke G r e e n Chapel, Wherstead Road, Ipswich had been levelled, a fine colony of both this subspecies and ssp. rugosum sprang up. It has survived not merely being cut two or three times a year but also competition from sown grass-seed.

Trans. S u f f . Nat. Vol. 18 part 1.

76

Suffolk

Natural

History,

Vol. 18, Part 1

F u r t h e r recent records o f R. rugosum sensu lato are as follows: ( i ) O n heap o f soil in lay-by, Freston, E . S u f f o l k , T M 1 4 , M A H , 25/6/77. (ii) In plenty, Sproughton Tip, E. Suffolk, T M 1 4 , E M H , 1/9/77. ( i i i ) Waste g r o u n d , B e i t o n , E . S u f f o l k , T G 4 0 , E M H , O c t .

1977. ( i v ) L a n d g u a r d C o m m o n , Felixstowe, E . S u f f o l k , T M 2 3 , E M H & M A H , 10/9/78. ( v ) Waste g r o u n d by R . G i p p i n g , Ipswich, E . S u f f o l k , T M 1 4 , M A H , 16/9/78. (vi) Roadside, Easton, E. Suffolk, T M 2 5 , E M H & M A H , 17/9/78.

A l s o , just o v e r the c o u n t y b o u n d a r y in Essex, nr. D e d h a m M i l l , T M 0 3 , M A H , 1/8/78.

5. Alyssum

saxatile L . , y e l l o w alyssum.

T h i s c o m m o n l y - g r o w n y e l l o w - f l o w e r e d garden species was seen naturalised o n a w a l l at K e n t f o r d , W . S u f f o l k , T L 7 6 , E M H & M A H , 30/4/78.

6. Barbarea rocket.

verna

( M i l l . ) Aschers., e a r l y - f i o w e r i n g

yellow

Several plants g r o w i n g o n stony g r o u n d by the coast r o a d b e t w e e n A l d e b u r g h and Thorpeness (parish o f A l d e b u r g h ) , E . S u f f o l k , T M 4 5 M A H , 18/6/78. D e t . E . J. C l e m e n t .

T h e plants at this site possessed the basal leaf characters o f B. intermedia B o r . (i.e. w i t h five or f e w e r pairs o f lateral lobes) b u t had siliquae w i t h i n the correct ränge o f lengths f o r B. verna ( u s i n g C l a p h a m , T u t i n & W a r b u r g , 1962). A specimen was s u b m i t t e d to M r . C l e m e n t w h o k i n d l y d e t e r m i n e d the plant as B.verna.

I n a note he explained that the siliquae lengths ( 3 - 6 c m in B.verna and l - 3 c m in B.intermedia) and the size o f the petals and sepals (larger in B.verna) were better Separation characters than the n u m b e r o f the lateral lobes o f the basal leaves.

7. Hypericum

elodes L . , marsh st. j o h n ' s w o r t .

A t edgesof ditch, Minsmere (parishof Dunwich), E. Suffolk, T M 4 6 , E M H & M A H , 12/8/78. Rare in S u f f o l k . I t is i n t e r e s t i n g t h a t , at W a l b e r s w i c k , where this species grows in a s i m i l a r h a b i t a t , it was one o f the first plants to recover f r o m the effects o f i n u n d a t i o n by salt water in the storms o f January 1976.

Trans.

Suff.

Nat.

Vol. 18 part 1.

SOME SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

1977-8

77

8. Cerastium atrovirens Bab., dark green mouse-ear.

We have three recent records of this annual glandular-hairy Cerastium sp., all from coastal habitats. (i) Landguard Common, Felixstowe, E. Suffolk, TM23, E M H & MAH, 16/4/77. (ii) At top of sandy beach by R. Stour, Harkstead, E. Suffolk, TM 13, E M H & MAH, 3/6/78. (iii) On beach, Shingle St., E. Suffolk, TM34, EMH & MAH, 2/7/78.

9. Chenopodium hybridum L., sowbane. (i) In arable field, West Row, Mildenhall, W. Suffolk, TL67, E M H , 25/9/77. (ii) Abundant in a field of beet, Cavenham, W. Suffolk, TL76, E M H , 19/8/78.

10. Linum bienne Mill., pale flax.

In plenty on the recently seeded grass verge of the Tattingstone By-pass (parish of Bentley), E. Suffolk, TM13, EMH & M A H , 22/6/78. Conf. E. J. Clement. This we assume to have been introduced with the grass-seed.

11. Linum grandiflorum Desf.

Edge of rubbish tip, Maidscross Hill, Lakenheath, TL78, E M H & M A H , 29/10/77.

This is the red-flowered annual flax of gardens.

12. Geranium sanguineum L., bloody cranesbill.

Naturalised, presumably from a garden throw-out, by the roadside between Aldeburgh and Thorpeness (parish of Aldeburgh), E. Suffolk, TM45, first seen EMH 7/8/75, still there 18/6/78.

13. Medicago polymorpha L., toothed medick.

Rather similar to unspotted forms of M.arabica, spotted medick, M.polymorpha differs in its laciniate (rather than toothed) stipules. (i) Chelmondiston Tip, E. Suffolk, TM23, MAH, 12/6/77. (ii) On dumped heap of soil near Snape Maltings (parish of Tunstall), TM45, MAH, 8/7/78. On the same heap was Melilotus indica. (iii) Waste ground by R. Gipping, Ipswich, E. Suffolk, TM 14, M A H , 16/9/78.

14. Melilotus altissima Thuill., golden melilot.

This species is very similar to M.officinalis, but it can be distinguished by its pubescent seed pods (glabrous in M.officinalis).

Trans. S u f f . Nat. Vol. 18 part 1.

78

Suffolk

Natural History, Vol. 18, Part 1

B r a n t h a m , on waste ground, E. Suffolk, TM13, M A H 6/7/78.

15. Melilotus indica (L.) All., small-flowered melilot.

In addition to the Snape record (see 13. above) a colony of this plant was also found on waste ground by the R. Gipping in Ipswich, E. Suffolk, TM 14, M A H , 16/9/78.

16. Trifolium micranthum Viv., slender yellow trefoil.

M e a d o w , Erwarton, E . Suffolk, TM23, M A H , first seen 10/6/73, still there 5/7/78. This species is easily overlooked, especially where grazed by cows!

17. Vicia lutea L., yellow vetch.

A few plants only, Landguard C o m m o n , Felixstowe, E. Suffolk, TM23, E M H & M A H , 10/9/78.

This species was recorded from Landguard (Hind, 1889) and used to be found there by Mr. Simpson. The few remaining plants are not likely to survive the projected expansion of the docks.

18. Vicia bithynica (L.) L., bithynian vetch.

Single plant, roadside, Freston, E. Suffolk, TM 13, M A H , 30/5/78. This plant, completely new to us, turned up quite n e a r home! It must have been overlooked by us many times in the past, doubtless because of County Council verge-cutting.

19. Potentilla recta L., sulphurcinquefoil.

O n e plant near R. Stour, Brantham, E. Suffolk, TM13, M A H , 6/7/78.

It is not known whether this plant was a naturalised garden escape, deliberately planted or introduced here in some other way.

20. Oenanthe fistulosa L., tubulär water dropwort. (i) In marsh, Beiton, E. Suffolk, TG40, E M H & F. W. Simpson, Oct. 1977. (ii) Framlingham, E. Suffolk, TM26, M A H , 17/9/78.

This white umbellifer, a local plant of marshes and w a t e r - m e a d o w s , can easily be overlooked when not in flower.

Its inconspicuous leaves serve to conceal it in the surrounding Vegetation.

21. Nicandra physalodes (L.) G a e r t n . , apple of Peru.

Chelmondiston Tip, E. Suffolk, TM23, M A H , 20/8/78. This is a blue-flowered native of Peru, which has appeared sporadically at this site, usually following disturbance of the topsoil, since 1974.

Trans. S u f f . Nat. Vol. 18 part 1.

SOME SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

1977-8

79

22. Solanum sarrachoides Sendtn., green nightshade. (i) By Snape Maltings (parish of Tunstall), E. Suffolk, TM35, E M H , 1977, first seen 1975. (ii) Waste ground, Exning, W. Suffolk, TL66, E M H & M A H , 29/10/77. (iii) Barton Mills Tip, W. Suffolk, TL77, E M H & M A H , 29/10/77. (iv) O n sandy ground, Black Heath, Wenhaston, E. Suffolk, TM47, E M H & M A H , 28/8/78.

This species appears fairly frequently in Suffolk as a weed of arable fields and roadsides.

23. Jasione montana L., sheepsbit.

O n disused railway line, Hadleigh, W. Suffolk, TM04, E M H , 6/11/77. still flowering. This is one of the interesting species growing along the old Hadleigh railway line.

24. Lobelia erinus L. O n e small plant, Chelmondiston Tip, E. Suffolk, TM23, M A H , 20/8/78.

This species is very frequently grown in gardens as an edging plant and it was almost certainly introduced here with garden rubbish.

25. Galinsoga parviflora Cav., gallant soldier.

A b u n d a n t as a weed in an arable field and a nearby nursery, Beiton, E. Suffolk, T G 4 0 , E M H & M A H , 28/8/78. This plant seems to occur fairly regularly in E. Suffolk, in ourexperience, as a weed of flower beds, allotments and gardens. 1t is much more c o m m o n than G.ciliata.

26. Senecio squalidus L. x S. vulgaris L., Oxford ragwort x, groundsel.

A large n u m b e r of robust, well-branched plants, much taller than normal specimens of the parent species, at Hadleigh Railway Yard, W. Suffolk, TM04, E M H , 15/5/77 and again in 1978.

27. A n o t h e r Senecio species resembling S.vulgaris in all respects except that ligules, albeit very small, were present, was found by E M H at Belstead, nr. Ipswich (TM14) on 10/5/78, growing with typical S. vulgaris. This plant would seem to be S. vulgaris L. var radiatus Koch.

28. Crepis serosa Haller f., bristly hawk's- beard.

Trans. S u f f . Nat. Vol. 18 part 1.

80

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 18, Part 1

Several colonies of this plant appeared on the Tattingstone By-pass (Bentley), E. Suffolk, TM13, EMH & MAH, 22/6/78.

Conf. E. J. Clement. 1t was introduced here with the grass-seed used on the verges. It can be separated from the two commonest Crepis spp. in Suffolk, viz. C.capillaris and C. vesicaria by the distinctive yellow bristles on the involucre.

29. Potamogeton pectinatus L., fennel pondweed.

In brackish dyke, Shotley, E. Suffolk, TM23, EMH & M A H , 22/6/78.

All our records, of which this is the most recent, have been from brackish dykes on the landward side of sea walls and embankments.

30. Alliumparadoxum (Bieb.) G.Don, few-flowered leek.

Great Barton, W. Suffolk, TL86, EMH, 16/4/78. First seen 1976. Another naturalised garden plant, flowering in Spring, here well established in a wood.

31. Eriophorum angustifolium Honck., common cotton-grass. (i) Walberswick, E. Suffolk, TM47, MAH, 1976, first seen 1974. (ii) Aldringham cum Thorpe, E. Suffolk, TM46, EMH & M A H , 18/6/78. First seen 1975. (iii) Snape, E. Suffolk, TM45, EMH & MAH, 8/7/78.

This is a rare species in Suffolk, its decline, mainly through the drainage of suitable habitats, having taken place in the last Century. (See Hind (1889), where it is given as 'Frequent in all the districts').

32. Carex distans L., distant sedge.

In marshes by coast road, Aldeburgh, E. Suffolk, TM45, E M H & M A H , 18/6/78. Conf. F. W. Simpson.

33. Carex echinata Murr., star sedge. (i) Walberswick, E. Suffolk, TM47, EMH, 25/7/76. (ii) Aldringham cum Thorpe, E. Suffolk, TM46, EMH, 18/6/78. (iii) Snape, E. Suffolk, TM45, E M H & MAH, 8/7/78.

First seen 4/7/76.

This and the following species are rare in Suffolk. They grow in peaty bogs.

34. Carex curta Good., white sedge.

Snape, E. Suffolk, TM45, E M H , 8/7/78. First seen 15/6/76.

35. Cynosurus echinatus L., rough dogstail.

Near Landguard Common, Felixstowe, E. Suffolk, TM23, Trans. S u f f . Nat. Vol. 18 part 1.

SOME SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

1977-8

81

EMH & M A H , 16/7/78. Many hundreds of plants of this species are abundant over an area of waste ground.

36. Apera spica-venti (L.) Beauv., silky bent.

Weed in cornfield, Chelmondiston, E. Suffolk, TM23, EMH & M A H , 18/7/78. This is a tali and attractive grass with silvery panicles.

Over the last four years it has been seen in several parishes on the sandy soils of the Shotley Peninsula, sometimes in great abundance.

37. Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., Johnson grass.

Edge of car park, Bath St., Ipswich, E. Suffolk, TM14, EMH & M A H , 12/8/78. Det. E. J. Clement, 1977.

References Clapham, A. R., Tutin, T. G. & Warburg, E. F. (1962). Flora of the British Isles, 2nd. ed., p. 164. Cambridge.

Hind, W. M. (1889). Flora of Suffolk. London.

Petch, Dr. C. P. & Swann, E. L. (1968). Flora of Norfolk, pp 100-101. Norwich.

E. M. Hyde and M. A. Hyde, Parkside, Woolverstone

Trans. S u f f . Nat. Vol. 18 part 1.