Some recent Suffolk plant records

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SOME RECENT SUFFOLK PLANT RECORDS Compiled by E. M. HYDE For each record the following information is given: locality and habitat, Ordnance Survey 10 km Square, vicc-county, findcr's name or initials (sec kcy at cnd of article) and datc of rccord. The comments are those of the Compiler, based in some cases on information supplied by the finders. Nomenclature and order of species are those of Kent (1992) and Stace (1991). Clement & Foster (1994) is the authority for information on alien plants. Simpson's Flora of Suffolk is used as the authority for claiming first or second County records, supplcmented by the large number of records reeeived since its publication. I wish to thank the experts who have determined or confirmed the identity of speeimens, especially Mr. E. J. Clement, who has solved many a problem for us over the years and of course all those who have supplied records for the list which follows.

Native plants and established introduetions Tolypella intricata (Trent, ex Roth) Leonh., Intricate Tolypella.

Mickfield, ditch across arable land, TM 16, v.c. 25, NS, March 1998.

This is a re-discovery of a very rare Suffolk species, first found in Mickfield by Francis Simpson in 1963 and observed by him there unlil c. 1965. It is a member of the Stonewort family (Characeae), which grows in still or slowflowing water, usually in an alkaline habitat. It is rare throughout Britain. Only one other Suffolk rccord is known, from Bury St. Edmunds in 1860 (Hind, 1889). Acting on Mr. Simpson's directions, Mr. N. Stewart discovered two plants in this same ditch. Most of the ditch was overgrown, but one section had been dug out for repairs to a culvert (NS pers. comm.). It is hoped that some measure of protection may now be afforded to this special plant as it has been included in the list of priority species in the Biodiversity Action Plan.

Myosurus minimus L., Mousetail.

Homersfield, track towards R. Waveney, in much trampled gateway on wet grazing marsh, TM28, v.c. 25, MM, June 1998. Conf. MNS and PGL. A new record for this increasingly scarce little plant.

Silene gallica L., Small-flowered Catchfly.

Covehithe, edge of parsnip field, TM58, v.c. 25, TRA, Nov. 1998.

150-200 plants flowering in summer, seeding, and flowering again in the autumn. Other plants in this field included Legousia hybrida (L.) Delarbre, Venus's Looking-glass, Silene noctiflora L., Night-flowering Catchfly, Kickxia elatine Dumort., Sharp-leaved Fluellen, Stachys arvensis (L.) L., Field Woundwort and Sherardia arvensis L., Field Madder. As reported in last year's list (Vol. 34), this small-flowered annual is now rare in Suffolk.

Silene conica L., Sand Catchfly.

Mildenhall, abundantin ccrtain areas. TL77, v.c. 26, YJL, 1998.

Officially classified as a Scarce Plant in Britain (Stewart, Pearman & Preston, 1994). One of its strongholds is the Suffolk Brcckland, especially in Mildenhall.

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Dianthus armeria L„ Deptford Pink.

Sudbury, by footpath on old railway at Brundon, TL83, v c 19 (N Essex) in administrative Suffolk, RFH, July 1998. 21 flower heads found in area not close to gardens.

A very interesting record. As a native plant of dry sandy places Dianthus armeria has declined lamentably in Suffolk. In Hind's Flora it was rccordcd from some 15 sites, but by about 1950 it was considered to be extinct.

It is frequently grown in gardens and seeds itself readily on light soils It is difficult to say whether this Sudbury population is native or of garden origin In any case it is one of only two recent records, the other certainly of garden b origin.

Cardamine amara L., Large Bittercress.

Thorington, wet marsh, in quantity, TM47, v.c. 25, PGL and GP 2/5/1998 More frequent in the South-east of the County, but thought to be a'decreasing species in Suffolk.

Arabis glabra (L.) Bernh., Tower Mustard.

Claydon, junction of Church Lane and York Crescent, TM 14, v.c. 25, PC, 10/6/1998. Conf. MNS. Specimen in Ipswich Museum Herbarium. About 100 plants on roadside verge.

Only the second recent record from v.c. 25, East Suffolk, for this Nationally Scarce plant.

Potentilla erecta (L.) Rausch, x P. anglica Laichard., Tormentil x Trailine Tormentil.

(P. x suberecta Zimmeter) Dunwich, on heath, TM46, v.c. 25, JW, 1998. Conf. Dr. B. Harold. Seen also

by P G L and MNS. Both parent species nearby. An exciting find. Recorded c 1935 on Blythburgh and Walberswick Heaths (FWS).

No other confirmed records since. Specimen in Ipswich Museum Herbarium.

Prunus padus L., Bird Cherry. a) Gt. Livermere, plentiful in Oldbroom Plantation, TL87/88, v.c. 26, MDC, 1995. Presumably originally planted for pheasant food, now reseneratine 6 f r o m seed (MDC). b) Frostenden, coppice woodland, TM48, v.c. 25, PGL, 17/4/1997. Several saplings near edge of wood.

A native tree rare in Suffolk, but also quite frequently planted.

Lupinus arboreus Sims, Tree Lupin.

Ipswich, frequent below Piper's Vale on fly ash, TM14, v.c. 25, TH, June 1998. A colourful sight, with both yellow and mauve-flowered plants.

Trifolium striatum L„ Knotted Clover and T. arvense L., Hare's-foot Clover, frequent in the same area.

Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verde., Parrot's-feather.

Somerleyton, village pond, TM49, v.c. 25, PGL, 3/10/1998. Introduced by a well-meaning aquarist, now spreading vigorously. This is a Water Milfoil introduced from S. America.

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Euphorbia serrulata Thuill., Upright Spurge.

Blythburgh, growing in churchyard by south porch, TM47, v.c. 25, EG, 20/8/1998. Det. PGL and MNS. At least a dozen strong plants. Perhaps seedcd from discarded churchyard flowers (PGL). Native in a few British sites, but not in Suffolk. First Suffolk record.

Impatiens capensis Meerb., Orange Balsam.

Carlton Colville, Whitecast Marshes, in recd-bed, TM59, v.c. 25, SA, (S.W.T.) August 1998. This is pari of the Carlton Marshes Reserve. Comm. PGL. A colourful introduction, naturalised on river banks and dykes, mainly in the south of the country. A native of N. America. There are two previous Suffolk records from different sites in Beccles.

Scandix pecten-veneris L., Shepherd's-needle.

Little Comard, a fair number of plants at edge of cereal crop, TL83, v.c. 26, Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserves Management Committee, 30/6/1998. Comm.

PGL. This species continues to recover from near-extinction.

Toriiis nodosa (L.) Gaertn., Knotted Hedge-parsley. a) Newmarket Cemetery, grassy areas, TL66, v.c. 29 (Cambs.) in Suffolk, YJL, 17/7/1998. b) Mildenhall, grassland, TL67, v.c. 26, YJL, 30/6/1998. c) Lakenheath, near R.S.P.B. Reserve, TL78, v.c. 26, YJL, 4/7/1998. d) Bury St. Edmunds Golf Course, TL86, v.c. 26, MS, 5/7/1998.

There are few recent West Suffolk records, but it remains common on seawalls and dry grassy places on the coast.

Calystegia sepium (L.) R.Br. ssp. sepium f. colorata (Lange) Dรถrfl., a form of Hedge Bindweed.

Mells Bridge, Wenhaston, TM47, v.c. 25, MNS and PGL, 12/9/1997.

A form of Hedge Bindweed, unusual in its pink flowers with five white stripes.

Galeopsis bifida Boenn., Bifid Hempnettle.

North of track to Glevering Hall Farm, nearroad, TM25, v.c. 25, RA, 3/8/1998.

Conf. EMH. Uncommon, with only scattered records, but a persistent garden weed, Woolverstone, since c. 1979, EMH. Campanula latifolia L., Giant Bellfower.

Eriswell, TL77, v.c. 26, YJL, 9/7/1998.

One of very few recent Suffolk records for this rare native species.

Filago lutescens Jord., Red-tipped Cudweed.

Elveden, in quantity along edges of forest ride, TL88, v.c. 26, MNS, 15/7/98.

An exciting re-discovery of this Red Data Book species. First record from v.c.

26, West Suffolk for over 50 years. Following this record, the species has been found at two more Breckland sites (TL77 and TL78) in 1998.

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Juncus tenuis Willd., Slender Rush.

Thetford Forest, High Wrong area, TL88, v.c. 26, NG, 5/7/1992 and Mavdav r SWlch L T " S u f S k Thf 26' N ? ' 1998' S p e C , m e n P Museum Kare in Sullolk. There is only one previous West Suffolk record.

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, h . CS,dC t r 3 C k d 0 W " 1 0 t h e R ' S t o u r - ™ 0 3 ' v.c. 25, EMH 24/7/1997. Of the parent species only the Rye-grass was also present as p usually seems to be the case. b) Dagworth cattle-grazed pasture, TM06, v.c. 25, JLW, 24/6/1997 Ouite close to the Site of an earlier record, RA, 1990 (Hydc & Simpson, 1992).

Briza minor L„ Lesser Quaking-grass v e c S i d 26 t h RA W i !i t e r S M l d ^ o o « ^ 8 r ° a d ' d 0 S e 1 0 l h e r o a d surfa <*> TL64, Herbari,,™p- f M a y f 1 9 9 8 - C o n f - M N S - Specimen in Ipswich Museum Herbanum First record for v.c. 26, West Suffolk, and the second for Suffolk Hb E & M H e r '

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a) Shotley, edge of wide grass verge, TM23, v.c. 25, EMH 4/12/1998 b) Beiton, Browston Green, TG40, v.c. 25, PG and IG, 18/7/1995 c) Snape, roadside verge, TM45, v.c. 25, MNS 11/7/96 d) Ashby,TM49, v.c. 25, RWE and PE, 3/10/1998 First recorded in Suffolk in 1978 in Woolverstone as a relic of cultivation for Silage. Still present there and also in Wherstead and Freston.

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Chiton Colville Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, dyke-side, TM59, v.c. 25, . , k u ° e u P G L a n d M N S ' Branched Bur-reed is a common Suffolk plant, but the distnbution in the County of its four subspecies is poorly known Kipe fruit, late in the year, is essential for identification

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Muscari comosum (L.) Miller, Tassel Hyacinth.

An established introduction, mainly in S.W. England and S. Wales. Frequently grown in gardens. If thrown out it is able to persist in thc wild. Rccorded in Simpson's Flora of Suffolk from Bramford in 1930 and 1949, and from Offton (not dated). Also Friston, 1983 (Hyde & Simpson, 1984). Since then the interest has shifted to Butley Creek.

June 8 1985, Butley Creek, Red Crag pit, on grassy bank at base of pit, TM35, v.c. 25, MH. May 24 1998, Butley Creek, Red Crag pit (on Watson Reserve), two plants, one at entrance to pit, the other about 3 yards away, PMB and NL (Honorary R.S.P.B, warden), who met by chance at the site.

Between 1985 and 1998 records it was seen twice, NL, and photographed on June 9 1996 (two plants) and June 4 1997 (one plant). PMB and NL note that these plants are just above the edge of the highest flood tide line, usually when strong winds are S/E or N/W. The nearest gardens are at least 3/4 mile away. It is not certain that the 1985 record refers to the same site as the more recent ones, but it seems highly likely.

Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) Rieh., Pyramidal Orchid.

Mettingham on North-facing verge of B1062, TM39, v.c. 25, CAJ, 3/7/1998.

Well over 100 flower spikes. Well-known to people living nearby.

Also there c. 80 specimens of Orobanche minor Smâ&#x20AC;&#x17E; Common Broomrape.

Conf. C. P. Barsted. This is another report of a large Broomrape colony, following those published in last year's list.

Ruscus aculeatus L., Butcher's Broom.

'Spotlight on Butcher's Broom' (Hyde, 1996) in White Admiral No. 33 gave a general survey of the characteristics and distribution of this plant in Suffolk, accompanied by a provisional post-1980 distribution map produced by Martin Sanford. A number of interesting records, some new, some up-dating known records, some probably planted, others perhaps native, have since been received. It is proposed to report on these shortly in White Admiral, since the original article appeared there.

Bird-seed aliens, casuals and escapes Corylus avellana L. var., a purplish brown-leaved form of Hazel.

East Bergholt, one sapling at edge of small piece of ancient woodland, TM03, v.c. 25, EMH, 13/4/1996. Still there, 1998. Possibly planted, but there are no other young trees to be seen. No flowers or fruit seen yet, but its branches are regularly damaged by Cutters.

Agrostemma githago L., Corncockle. a) Mildenhall, heath near Airfield Lights, TL77, v.c. 26, YJL, 30/6/1998. b) Lackford, occasional by track on Reserve, TL87, v.c. 26, EMH, 1997.

Assumed to be accidental or deliberate introductions.

Correction. Agrostemma githago L. was mistakenly published in Suffolk Natural History Vol. 34, 1998 as occurring at a site in Somerleyton. The plant was however not that species. This regrettable error was made by the Compiler of the list, not the finder.

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Bupleurum fruticosum L., Shrubby Hare's Ear. Southwold, waste ground betwecn allotments and common land, TM57, v c 25, PGL, 7/9/1996.

Single very old plant with stoul trank. Very unlikcly to have becn planted, PGL pers. comm. Sccond Suffolk record. Garden plants of this species occasionally produce seedlings.

Physalis alkekengi L., Japanese Lantern. a) Somerleyton, TM48, v.c. 25, PGL and GP, 3/10/1998. b) Herringfleet, TM49, v.c. 25, PGL and GP, 3/10/1998. c) Weybread, TM28, v.c. 25, ALB and RWE, 19/9/1998 A vigorous garden perennial that is likely to increase in the wild.

Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., Red Buffalo-Bur (see Plate 15).

Shadingfield, garden, TM48, v.c. 25, PGL, Sept. 1998. Det. MNS. Single plant over 2 ft. high in private garden, among home-grown Tagetes bedding plants. No bird-seed ever used. A striking, spiny annual from S. America usually introduced with bird-seed or wool waste. The large (about 3.5 cm across) white or purplish flowers are followed by globose, red fraits.

Second Suffolk record. With the onset of frosts, the plant was potted up and laken to a cool conservatory, where it was still producing shoots in January 1999 (pers. comm. PGL).

Carthamus tinetorius L., Safflower.

Wangford Landfill Site, TM47, v.c. 25, M N S and PGL, 28/8/1998.

One large plant of this attractive orange-flowered alien was found growing with introduced grasses such as Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv., Foxtail Bristiegrass and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv., Cockspur Grass.

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Ragweed. a) Woolverstone, Single well-fed plant at edge of vegetable plot, TM 13, v.c.

25, E M H , Oct. 1998. Conf. E. J. Clement. Hb. E & MH. Probably from bird-seed. b) Hoo, one plant in garden, TM25, v.c. 25, KD, 31/8/1998. Det. RA. Conf.

MNS. Becoming more frequent in the County.

Puschkinia scilloides Adams, Striped Squill.

Southwold, in crack in pavement, TM57, v.c. 25, PGL, 22/3/1997.

Two plants flowering some 20 m. from established garden planting. Crack too small for a loose bulb to have lodged in; so they must have developcd from seed, P G L pers. comm.

Only two previous Suffolk records.

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Key to contributors Abrehart, T. R. Addington, Canon R. Ayl ward, S. Brinkley, R. M. Bull, A. L. Collins, P. Crewe, M. D. Davis, Mrs. K. Ellis, Mrs. P. Ellis, R. W. Gibbons, N. Green, I. Green, P. Guy, E. Hall, M. Hartley, R. F. Hutton, T.

Suffolk Natural History, Vol. 35

TRA RA SA RMB ALB PC MDC KD PE RWE NG IG PG EG MH RFH TH

Hyde, Mrs. E. M. Jacobs, C. A. Lawson, P. G. Leonard, Mrs. Y. J. Lloyd, N. Mathews, Mrs. B. Miller D. Minchin, Mrs M. Peck, G. Sanford, M. N. Searle, M. Simpson, F. W. Stewart, N. Suffolk Wildlife Trust Walshe, J. L. Westcott, Mrs. J. Youell, S.

EMH CAJ PGL YJL NL BM DM MM GP MNS MS FWS NS SWT JLW JW SY

References Clement, E. J. and Foster, M. C. (1994). Alien Plauts of the British Isles.

Botanical Society of the British Isles. London.

Hind, W. M. (1889). Flora of Suffolk. Gurney & Jackson. London Hyde, E. M. (1996). Spotlight on Butcher's Broom. White Admiral 33: 5.

Hyde, E. M. and Simpson, F. W. (1992). Some recent Suffolk plant rccords.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc., 28: 21.

Hyde, E. M. and Simpson, F. W. (1984). Some recent Suffolk plant records.

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc., 20: 76.

Kent, D. H. (1992). List of vascular plants of the British Isles. Botanical Society of the British Isles. London.

Simpson, F. W. (1982). Simpson's Flora of Suffolk. Ipswich. Suffolk Naturalists' Society.

Stace, C. A. (1991). New Flora of the British Isles, 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge.

Stewart, A., Pearman, D. A. & Preston, C. D. (1994. Scarce plants in Britain.

Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Peterborough.

E. M. Hyde Parkside Woolverstone Ipswich Suffolk IP9 1 AR

Trans. Suffolk Nat. Soc. 35 (1999)

03 -J ei a; Plate 15: Red Buffalo-Bur, Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam., garden weed at Shadingfield, September 1998 (p. 109).