Some recent Suffolk plant records

S O M E RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS

compiled by E. M. HYDE, M. A . HYDE, P. G. LAWSON a n d F . W . SIMPSON

In each case the following information is given: locality and habitat, Ordnance Survey 10 km Square, vice-county (on the Watsonian vice-county system), finder's initials and date of record. Comments and determinations are by the Ander, unless otherwise stated.

Blechnum spicant (L.) Roth, Hard Fern.

A rare Suffolk fern. Blythburgh, a small colony, TM47, v.c.25, FWS, 6/9/79.

Atriplex halimus L., Shrubby Orache.

Introduced. Native of Med. Eur. Old, established bushes with Tamarix gallica L. at Nacton, TM23, v.c.25, FWS, flowering 21/11/79. Known also since 1930 near the River Stour, Brantham, TM13, v.c.25, FWS. Minuartia hybrida (Vill.) Schischkin in Komarov, Fine-leaved Sandwort.

Disturbed ground of new plantation at Icklingham, TL77, v.c.26, FWS, 1979. Mainly a Breckland species in Suffolk. Less frequent than formerly, due to coniferous afforestation and crop sprays.

Moenchia erecta (L.) P. Gaertner, B. Meyer & Scherb., Upright Chickweed.

Southwold, TM57, v.c.25, PGL, 17/5/79. Recorded from Southwold Common in Hind (1889).

Agrostemma githago L., Com Cockle. (i) Two specimens found in Breckland by J. L. Raincock. Conf. O. G. Douglas, F.L.S. First specimen at the side of field path, Icknield Way, Elveden, between the A l l and the King's Forest, TL87, v.c.26,15/7/79.

Second specimen, King's Forest, Icknield Way, close to where fields abut track at the N. end, Icklingham, TL87, v.c.26, 4/9/79. Comm.

FWS. (ii) 42, Dover Road, Ipswich, several seedlings in a garden, TM14, v.c.25, during 1978. Det. Mrs. H. S. Thompson. It is uncertain whether the seedlings were from wild or cultivated plants. The area was part of an old orchard. Until housing development about 1880 it was light arable farmland. Comm. FWS. (iii) Dunwich, two flowering plants on the edge of a barley field, TM47, v.c.25, Lowestoft Field Club, 25/6/78. Comm. PGL. Ranunculus baudotii Godron Southwold, in brackish ditches near the sea, TM47, v.c.25, PGL, 9/6/79.

Myosurus minimus L., Mousetail.

Stonham Aspal, in Mr. J. A. Foster's garden, TM15, v.c.25, 1978-9.

Introduced by seed in the soil of plants brought from former garden at Kesgrave, TM24, v.c.25. Comm. FWS. Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 18 part 2.

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Berberis vulgaris L., Barberry.

Probably native in old hedges on the chalk. Dalham & Moulton, TL76, v.c.26, FWS, 1978-9. Specimen from Moulton in WAR collected by Lowe, June 1835. Comm. perMrs. G. Crompton.

Fumaria vaillantii Loisel. in Desv. (i) Wrentham, TM48, v.c.25, PGL, 26/6/79. (ii) Beccles, TM49, v.c.25, PGL, 4/8/75. Conf. E. L. Swann.

Both occasions on waste ground.

Crassula helmsii (T. Kirk) Cockayne (i) Barham, flooded gravel pit, in great abundance, TM15, v.c.25, MAH, 23/2/80. Conf. E. J. Clement, 2/80. (ii) Felixstowe, Spa Gardens, in partly frozen, neglected ornamental pond, TM33, v.c.25, EMH, 14/1/79. Det. E. J. Clement, 1/79. First Suffolk record.

This is an Australasian waterweed, sold commercially as an oxygenator, recently recorded from many natural habitats in the U.K. (see e.g. BSBI News 23: 12). At Barham it grew not only in the water, but also on the damp sand above the water-level in a short-leaved compact form. In its terrestrial State it could easily be overlooked as a moss.

Filipendula vulgaris Moench, Dropwort.

Wortham, TM07, v.c.25, A. Copping, 1/7/79. Comm. PGL. Relatively common in the Breckland, but rare elsewhere in Suffolk (PGL).

Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers., Cut-leaved White Beam.

Woolverstone, TM13, v.c.25, EMH, 1974-9. Conf. E. J. Clement, 7/79. A small tree, possibly bird-sown, in open scrub, first noticed in 1974 and first flowering in 1976.

Cotoneaster franchetti Bois Near Bramford Road, Ipswich, on waste ground, TM14, v.c.25, MAH, 20/10/79. Det. E. J. Clement, 10/79. A Single bush covered in orange-red berries. This striking species was almost certainly of garden origin here, perhaps bird-sown. It is a native of W. China and Tibet, Bean (1976).

Teline monspessulana (L.) C. Koch, Montpelier Broom.

Brantham, waste ground, TM13, v.c.25, MAH, 24/6/79. One large plant and several smaller ones. Considering how frequently this shrub is grown in gardens and how readily it produces seedlings, it is surprising that it is not a common adventive of waste places.

Galega ofĂ&#x;cinalis L., Goat's Rue. Haiesworth, several plants at edge of public car-park in town centre, TM37, v.c.25, PGL, 21/7/79.

Astragalus glycyphyllos L., Wild Liquorice.

Creeting St. Mary, about 30 plants on the south-facing side of a cutting on the A45, TM05/15, v.c.25, EMH, 20/7/79.

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Vicia villosa Roth ssp. villosa Near Bramford Road, Ipswich, on waste ground, TM14, v.c.25, MAH, 20/10/79. Conf. E. J. Clement, 10/79. An annualspecies, easily confused with the perennial Vicia cracca L. Trifolium ornithopodioides L., Birdsfoot Fenugreek.

Coastal sites (where it is often abundant in short turf (PGL)): (i) Walberswick, TM47/57, v.c.25, PGL, 1975. (ii) Covehithe, TM58, v.c.25, PGL, 12/6/79. (iii) Trimley St. Mary, on grassy track near the estuary, TM23, v.c.25, FWS, 1978-9.

Inland site: (iv) Barham, TM15, v.c.25, EMH, 2/6/79.

Specimens are usually very small and much trodden down in the habitats this species most favours (FWS).

Trifolium squamosum L., Sea Clover.

Walton, Felixstowe, a fine colony on waste ground, formerly grassy saltings, near the Dooley Fort, TM23, v.c.25, FWS, 1978-9. This site, with many other interesting species, will soon become part of the Felixstowe Dock complex. The Dooley Fort has already been destroyed.

Linum tenue Desf.

Dallinghoo, casual in garden of Mrs. M. E. Daman, most probably introduced with Haith's Wild Bird Food, TM25, v.c.25, Mrs. H. B. Miller, October 1978. Comm. FWS, det. E. J. Clement, 10/78. First British record.

See BSBI News 20: 12.

Frangula alnus Miller, Alder Buckthorn.

Not very frequent and usually in small numbers. (i) Pakenham Wood, one bush, TL96, v.c.26, FWS, 26/8/78. (ii) Wolves Wood, Hadleigh, four bushes, TM04, v.c.25 and 26, FWS, 14/8/79.

I (FWS) first observed it in Wolves Wood in 1930. Rhamnus catharticus L., Purging Buckthorn, also occurs here. The earlier, and correct, name for this wood is Wool's Wood, after Wool Hall, formerly Standing near the west side. Hadleigh was one of the important local centres for the wool trade.

Cistus laurifolius L. Barsham, TM48, v.c.25, M A H , 14/7/79. Conf. E. J. Clement, 9/79.

Two bushes, covered in white flowers, in a roadside cutting, first seen, but not identified, 3/8/76. Although their status is uncertain, these shrubs were most likely planted, perhaps when the road cutting was made. Other nonnative shrubs are thriving alongside newer stretches of the A12.

Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansfeld, Water Melon.

Barton Mills Tip, TL77, v.c.26, EMH & MAH, 29/10/77. Det. E. J. Clement, 11/77. One large plant, with stout prostrate stems, spreading over several Square feet.

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Lythrum junceum Banks & Solander, Greater Grass Poly.

Frostenden, bird-seed alien in garden, TM48, v.c.25, PGL, 23/7/79.

Pimpinella major (L.) Huds., Greater Burnet Saxifrage.

A very local species. Great Saxham, small colony on roadside verge, TL76, v.c.26, FWS, 21/8/79. This confirms an earlier record. We (FWS & EMH) have seen it also at Great and Little Thurlow, TL65 and Botesdale, TM07.

Anagallis tenella (L.) L., Bog Pimpernel.

A rare and decreasing species, owing to loss or change of habitats. Blythburgh, very small colony, TM47, v.c.25, FWS, 6/9/79.

Limonium binervosum (G. E. Sm.) Salmon, Rock SeaLavender.

Havergate Island, TM44, v.c.25, FWS, 5/8/79.

Jasminum officinale L., Jasmine.

Ipswich, abundant on site of former garden, Wolsey Street, TM14, v.c.25, M A H , 28/9/75. Still there, 1979. Growing with Rubus laciniatus Willd.

Blackstonia perfoliata (L.) Hudson, Yellow-wort. (i) Acton, two specimens on old railway bank, TL84, v.c.26, FWS, 9/6/79. (ii) Darsham, railway banks, TM46, v.c.25, FWS, 1978-9.

Much less frequent than formerly.

Nymphoides peltata (S. G. Gmelin) O. Kuntze, Fringed Waterlily. (i) Pond Farm, Little Cornard, roadside pond, probably introduced, TL83, v.c.26, E. Milne-Redhead, 20/8/78. (ii) Near Riverside Road, Ipswich, in the R. Gipping, apparently increasing, TM 14, v.c.25, E M H & MAH, first seen 26/8/74, still there 16/9/78. (iii) Coddenham, roadside pond, TM15, v.c.25, E M H & MAH, 6/9/74.

Asperula cynanchica L., Squinancywort. (i) Dalham, TL76, v.c.26, FWS, 22/7/79. (ii) Cavenham, TL76, v.c.26, FWS, 25/6/76. (iii) Risby, on the Black Ditches, TL76, v.c.26, PGL, 16/6/79.

A species of old chalk grassland, decreasing and usually only in small quantity (FWS).

Ajuga chamaepitys (L.) Schreber, Ground Pine.

First found in 1952 by A. L. Bull in a light arable field at West Stow, TL77, v.c.26. Two plants, 1979, in carrot crop. It is most surprising that this very rare annual should have survived in this site, subjected to much disturbance, crop-spraying and farm chemicals. Mr. Bull has shown me (FWS) photographs of the 1979 flowering plants.

Nepeta cataria L., Wild Catmint. (i) Dalham, two flowering plants, TL76, v.c.26, FWS, 1978. (ii) Bury St. Edmunds Railway Station, one plant, TL86, v.c.26, FWS, 1978. At neither site were plants seen in 1979.

There are a number of sites for this species just over the Suffolk border in the Cambridgeshire parishes of Kennett and Chippenham. I (FWS) was

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unfortunately observed taking photographs of the Dalham plants and this, I am certain, resulted in one of the specimens being picked. On several other occasions in the past, flowers, common or rare, being photographed or even examined, have been gathered or pulled up by members of the public.

Mentha x gentilis L. (= M. arvensis x spicata) (i) Red Lodge Warren, Herringswell, waste ground, TL66, v.c.26, EMH, 12/8/79. Conf. Dr. R. M. Harley, 10/79. (ii) Beccles, old rubbish tip, TM49, v.c.25, PGL, 13/9/75. There are very few Suffolk records of this hybrid mint.

Mentha x smithiana R. A. Graham (= M. aquatica x arvensis x spicata) Bury St. Edmunds, waste ground near Railway Station, TL86, v.c.26, M A H , 26/8/79. Conf. Dr. R. M. Harley, 10/79. Another uncommon hybrid mint.

Solanum cornutum Lam. (i) North Cove, TM48, v.c.25, PGL, 24/8/75. (ii) Beccles, TM49, v.c.25, PGL, 15/9/79.

One plant at each, on old rubbish tips.

Verbascum phlomoides L., Woolly Mullein. (i) Ipswich, waste ground near Belstead Brook, TM14, v.c.25, MAH, 9/79.

Conf. Dr. I. K. Ferguson, 9/79. (ii) Oulton, numerous plants on site of former buildings, TM59, v.c.25, PGL, 7/10/77.

Scrophularia vernalis L., Yellow Figwort. (i) Fornham St. Genevieve, glade in old plantation, TL86, v.c.26, FWS, 3/6/79. First recorded for this parish by Sir Thos. G. Cullum, c. 1804-5, Hind (1889). (ii) Babergh Hall, Gt. Waldingfield, in deciduous woodland, TL94, v.c.26, E. Milne-Redhead, 23/6/78.

Sambucus ebulus L., Danewort.

Witnesham, B1077 roadside south of Rose Hill, TM14, v.c.25, E. MilneRedhead, 21/10/79.

Guizotia abyssinica (L. fil.) Cass.

Barton Mills Tip, TL77, v.c.26, EMH & MAH, 29/10/77.

Seeds of this yellow composite are a common constituent of wild bird food.

Ambrosia trifida L., Great Ragweed.

Barton Mills Tip, TL77, v.c.26, E M H & MAH, 29/10/77. Det. E. J. Clement, 11/77.

One grimy specimen, covered in chalk, was found near the gates of the Tip. Achilleaptarmica L., double-flowered form, Bachelors' Buttons.

Wherstead, on widened roadside verge, TM13, v.c.25, FWS, 8/8/78.

Senecio jacobaea L. var. flosculosus DC. Mildenhall, side of ditch near Fen Tigers' Stadium, TL67, v.c.26, EMH, 12/8/79. The rayless variety of Common Ragwort.

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Senecio x ostenfeldii Druce ( = 5 . aquaticus x jacobaea) Brandon, one plant near the river, TL78, v.c.26, FWS, 28/7/78.

Centaurea solstitialis L., St. Barnaby'sThistle.

Yoxford, in Mrs. M. Stephenson's garden, TM36, v.c.25 , 7/10/79. Det. PGL. Several flowering plants in a garden where annuals had been sown, suggesting an impurity in the seed (PGL).

Potamogeton friesii Rupr., Flat-stalked Pondweed.

Carlton Colville, marsh dykes in the area which the Suffolk Trust hopes to buy in 1980, TM59, v.c.25, PGL, 23/7/79.

Groenlandia densa (L.) Fourr., Opposite-leaved Pondweed.

Haiesworth, large patch in marsh dyke, TM37, v.c.25, PGL, 21/7/79.

Uncommon species in N.E. Suffolk.

Chionodoxa luciliae Boiss., Glory of the Snow.

Martlesham, in a plantation, TM24, v.c.25, FWS, 7/4/79, with Eranthis hyemalis (L.) Salisb., Winter Aconite.

This frequently grown, spring-flowering, bulbous plant, a native of Asia Minor, is sometimes a garden throw-out and in suitable habitats could become naturalised, as it seeds freely.

Muscari armeniacum Baker A frequent garden throw-out, this bulbous plant is often mistaken for the native M. atlanticum Boiss. & Reut. Both species have often been observed growing in Breckland on road verges and in other habitats. When grown in a garden, the differences between the species are more apparent. The leaves of M. atlanticum appear earlier and are narrower. However, the flower spikes of M. armeniacum appear first and their stems are stouter. The flowers are much brighter, more blue than purple. Those of M. atlanticum are a misty shade of blue-purple, the colour of grapes.

The two stations reported by Mrs. M. E. Brownhill at Timworth, TL86, v.c.26, 22/4/79 for M. atlanticum, were checked by EMH and later by Mrs. G. Crompton and were both found to be colonies of M. armeniacum (FWS).

Allium roseum L. ssp. bulbiferum (DC.) E. F. Warb., Rosy Garlic.

Blyford, TM47, v.c.25, PGL, 6/6/79. Numerous flowering stems on roadside verges adjacent to and opposite cottages. Almost certainly from bulbils discarded from gardens.

Sisyrinchium striatum Smith Brantham, TM13, v.c.25, MAH, 6/7/78. Conf. E. J. Clement, 3/79.

A member of the Iris family with narrow, flattened leaves and inconspicuous yellowish flowers up the stem. Several plants have persisted here for at least three years.

Carex strigosa Huds., Thin-spiked Wood Sedge.

Stoke Park, Ipswich, in marshy woodland, TM14, v.c.25, EMH, 8/6/79.

Conf. E. C. Wallace, 6/79. Fishpond Covert, in which this rare Suffolk sedge was found, is unfortunately earmarked for development in the near future. If Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc.

18part2.

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the site, which contains many fine trees and an interesting undergowth, cannot be preserved, an attempt will be made to establish some plants of C. strigosa in a suitable site nearby.

Vulpia ambigua (Le Gall) More, Purple Fescue.

Barham, in vast quantity, TM15, v.c.25, EMH, 2/6/79. Conf. Dr. C. A. Stace, 6/79. A fairly frequent plant in Breckland (see Trist (1979) for many records), but apparently not so elsewhere in Suffolk. We have one other non-Breckland record: Shingle Street, TM34, v.c.25, E M H & MAH, 2/7/78.

Bromus inermis Leyss. (i) Barrow Bottom, near railway arch, TL76, v.c.26, EMH, 11/7/79. Conf.

Dr. P. M. Smith, 7/79. See Trist (1979). (ii) Bury St. Edmunds Railway Station, TL86, v.c.26, MAH, 26/8/79.

A vigorous, rhizomatous perennial grass somewhat resembling B. erectus.

Bromus rigidus Roth (i) Fakenham, v.c.26, W. M. Hind, 1883 as B. maximus Desf. in Hind (1889). The specimen in Hind's herbarium at Ipswich Museum was sent

by Mr. Howard Mendel to Dr. P. M. Smith, who confirmed that it was B. rigidus, and not the very similar B. diandrus. (ii) Landguard Common, Felixstowe, sandy ground, TM23, v.c.25, MAH, 16/7/78. Det. Dr. P. M. Smith, 5/79.

Bromus commutatus Schrad. var. pubens Wats.

Walpole, on small Tip, TM37, v.c.25, MAH, 19/8/79. Conf. Dr. P. M. Smith, 2/80, who commented that it was the more unusual variety with hairy spikelets.

Agropyron x obtusiusculum Lange ( = A. junceiforme xpungens) With both parents at Harkstead, TM13 and Walton (Felixstowe), TM23, both v.c.25, FWS, 1978-9.

Agropyron x oliveri Druce (= A. pungens x repens) With both parents at Harkstead, TM 13, v.c.25, FWS, 1978-9.

Corynephorus canescens (L.) Beauv., Grey Hair Grass.

Dunwich, Minsmere Beach, TM46, v.c.25, FWS, 9/12/79. Introduced after the 1953 floods with roots of Ammophila arenaria (L.) Link, Marram Grass, brought from Norfolk and planted to combat the serious erosion of the dunes. C. canescens has increased considerably at this locality in recent years.

However, it has decreased at Benacre during the past forty years, due to the removal of a large area of its habitat of sand and shingle for war purposes and much tidal erosion of the Ness.

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop., Crab-grass. (i) Southwold, bird-seed alien growing in crack in pavement in urban road, TM57, v.c.25, PGL, 25/9/79. (ii) Lowestoft, in roadside gutter and on waste ground by grain silo with other alien grasses, TM59, v.c.25, PGL etal., 1975-9.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 18 part 2.

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Rieda fluitans L. Floating Liverwort.

Minsmere, Dunwich, abundant in ditch with Hypericum elodes L., TM46, v.c.25, FWS, 3/9/79. Apparently scarce. Mayfield (1930) gives only three records: (i) Hopton (Henslow & Skepper), (ii) Hestley Green, Thorndon, (both v.c.25) and (iii) Hitcham (Henslow) (v.c.26). Some forty-five years ago I (FWS) found it in a pond on Bramford Common. The pond was later drained and the Common, which had been pasture, ploughed up.

Acknowledgements The Compilers wish to thank everyone who contributed records and also those specialists who helped with the identification and confirmation of species.

References Bean, W. J. (1976). Trees andShrubs hardy in the British Isles, 8th ed., 1,741, London.

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

Mayfield, A. (1930). The Hepatics, Mosses and Lichens of Suffolk. Journal of the Ipswich and District Natural History Society, 1 (2).

Trist, P. J. O. (1979). An ecological Flora ofBreckland. Wakefield.

E. M. Hyde and M. A. Hyde, Parkside, Woolverstone, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 1AR. P. G. Lawson, 17B Pier Avenue, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6BX. F. W. Simpson, 40 Ruskin Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1PT.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 18part2.