1997 Llandudno and Cwm Idwal 3 to 4 June Main Meeting
The wind-swept car-park on the summit of the Great Orme's Head at Llandudno was the meeting place for 20 or so WFS members. After brief introductions Geoff Battershall marshalled us into five cars and navigated the convoy of vehicles down the side of the Great Orme to a convenient parking place on the lower slopes. Wendy McCarthy very kindly co-led the walk around the Great Orme and happily imparted her in-depth botanical knowledge of the area. Our first plant of the weekend was the seldom seen Scrophularia vernalis (Yellow Figwort) which has been recorded from this site for over 100 years. A short walk to a limestone grassland bank enabled us to examine a small but species rich community of plants. Potentilla neumanniana (Spring Cinquefoil) had just finished flowering but this was more than compensated for by a handful of flowers left on Helianthemum oelandicum ssp. incanum (Hoary Rock-rose). Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort) and Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Crane's-bill) were in full bloom and nearby the arching stems of Silene nutans (Nottingham Catchfly) were observed.
Walking down the side of a steep limestone hillside we were shown an interesting selection of native and alien plants which have become well established on the lower slopes of the Great Orme. Several budding spikes of Epipactis atrorubens (Dark-red Helleborine) were seen but one obliging plant had open flowers. Less spectacular, but equally interesting was Arabis hirsuta (Hoary Rock-cress) and some early flowering
Anacamptis pyramidal (Pyramidal Orchid). The thin well-drained soil was well colonised by a collection of Cotoneasters which included C. integrifolius, C. horizontalis and C. franchetii. The large lemon-yellow flower heads of Hypochaeris maculatum (Spotted Cat's-ear) attracted much attention in the mid-moming sun.
Further attention was paid observing the diagnostic features of this scarce plant, including the dark wine-red splashes on the leaves. By way of contrast in the scrub, there was much Arbutus orbus (Strawberry Tree) bearing many strawberry-like fruits. Cotoneaster simonsii was also identified as well as Sorbus intermedia (Swedish Whitebeam) and a flowering Pyracantha coccinea (Firethorn).
The terraced and wooded lower slopes of the Great Orme's Head had a wide variety of established natives, colourful aliens and garden escapes. The first plant which delighted the whole group was Orobanche hederae (Ivy Broomrape) looking quite statuesque on its host, Hedera helix ssp. hibernica (Atlantic Ivy) For those interested in members of the Cruciferae family the lower slopes of the Great Orme enabled a close comparison of the key characteristics of Hirschfeldia incana (Hoary Mustard) Rapistrum rugosum (Bastard Cabbage), and Sinapis alba (White Mustard). Further down the slopes, and after a brief pause for refreshment at a nearby cafe, both Geoff and Wendy pointed out the plants which have a tenuous hold in the masonry of the surrounding stone walls. Valerianella carinata (Keeled-fruited Comsalad), Sedum dasyphyllum (Thick-leaved Stonecrop) and Manna procumbens (Trailing Snapdragon) appeared to be flourishing in the smallest stone fissures.
Working our way back up the lower slopes we were directed to a large flowering patch of Hieracium grandidens and a rare sub-species of nipplewort: Lapsana communis ssp. intermedia. On an open grassland slope many of the plants we encountered earlier on in the day were seen again. For those eager and able enough to climb to the top of a steep bank, reward came in the form of Aster linosyris (Goldilock's Aster), albeit green shoots only. Conversely, a careful descent of another open grassland bank was attempted by many to see the blue flowering spikes of Veronica spicata ssp. hybrida (Spiked Speedwell).
After lunch at the summit we moved to a different part of the Great Orme but not before pausing to look at Brassica oleracea (Wild Cabbage) growing on rocky coastal ledges. . .
Another grass-covered rock ledge had a single Hieracium bnttamciforme in flower Moving into the car-park we were surprised to see large BBC trucks and trailers and an entire film crew in the process of filming a BBC adaptation of Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd. Many of the film crew were puzzled and bemused by the madding crowd of botanists hurrying from their cars to catch a glimpse of Cotoneaster cambricus (Wild Cotoneaster) in its only known British site. Needless to say, the puzzlement was reciprocated as many of us asked each other why the BBC were filming in north Wales and not in Hardy's Wessex!
The remains of the day were spent botanising on the West Shore at Llandudno. However, this was not before a quick car stop was made at the foot of the Great Orme's Head to find Erodium maritimum (Sea Stork's-bill) growing in pavement cracks. Pedestrians passing by looked understandably bemused, as party members starting crawling along the pavement on hands and knees, desperately searching for Erodium's insignificant flower. (Anyone who attended this year's AGM saw the photographic evidence!) On West Shore a typical maritime flora was much in evidence from such plants as Cakile maritima (Sea Rocket) and the far-reaching stems of Leymus arenarius (Lyme grass). The vast swathe of Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Crane's-bill) and Rosa pimpinellifolia (Bumet Rose) was simply beautiful, but it was the opinion of many that the beauty of the native duneland flora was eclipsed by the exotic intruder Kniphofia praecox (Greater Red-hot Poker). The searing red spikes of the Kniphofia were devastatingly striking and rapidly became the focalpoint of many camera lenses. In the shadow of the Kniphofias other aliens had established themselves on the dunes including Lactuca tartarica (Blue Lettuce) in bud and Reseda alba (White Mignonette) and Olearia macrodonta (Daisy Bush) in flower.
The sublime landscape of the Snowdonia mountain range was the backdrop to our second day's botanising around Cwm Idwal. The climb to Lyn Idwal began by admiring the profusion of Cryptogramma crispa (Parsley Fern) among the" rocks and scree. An acidic boggy flush had many of us crawling on our hands and knees identifying Carex dioica (Dioecious Sedge), Ranunculus omiophyllus (Round-leaved Water Crowfoot) and Epilobium brunnescens (New Zealand Willowherb). There was much botanical interest to be found at Lyn Idwal. Isoetes lacustris (Quillwort) was found along the shoreline while Subularia aquatica (Awlwort) was flowering in its slaty waters. The slender stems of Lobelia dortmanna (Water Lobelia) were easily recognised although no flowers could be found. A nearby mountain flush contained a healthy population of the insectivorous Pinguicula vulgaris (Common Butterwort) in flower. Less conspicuous than the Pinguicula plants was Diphasiastrum alpinum (Alpine Club-moss) growing in the mountain grassland with Lycopodium clavatum (Stag's-hom Club-moss) and Huperzia selago (Fir Club-moss).
Lunch was taken sat amongst the gigantic boulders which we were later to explore for the uncommon and rare alpines for which Cwm Idwal is renowned. The first clutch of alpines included Minuartia verna (Spring Sandwort), Oxyria digyna(Mountain Sorrel) and Festuca vivipara (Viviparous Fescue) all anchored in the pitted rock surfaces. Wet rocky flushes allowed small ferns to flourish of which Asplenium viride (Green Spleenwort) and Cystopteris fragilis (Brittle Bladder-fem) were the most delicate-looking. In more sheltered positions Phegopteris connectilis(Beech Fern) and Gymnocarpium dryopteris (Oak Fern) were discovered.
Geoff's detailed knowledge of the area allowed him to pinpoint the exact location of some of the rarest saxifrages. Saxifraga cespitosa (Tufted Saxifrage) had a seemingly tenuous hold on the face of a wet boulder. A great tenacity obviously belies its fragile beauty as it has survived in this same spot for many years. Saxifraga stellaris (Starry Saxifrage), S. hypnoides (Mossy Saxifrage), S. oppositifolia (Purple Saxifrage) and S. nivalis (Alpine Saxifrage) were all found colonising the rocks and boulders of Cwm Idwal.
The higher the party climbed towards the Devil's Kitchen the more our thoughts turned towards finding Lloydia serotina (Snowdon Lily) on some of the moist rock ledges. We were not to be disappointed! A steep ascent to the bottom of the Devil's Kitchen was duly rewarded by the sight of a handful of the lilies on the thin rock shelves. Needless to say, the only way to enjoy these plants with a visible clarity was through the magnification of binoculars. The inaccessibility of the rock ledges in the area meant that they were simply some of the richest botanically. Llovdia was supported by a strong cast of alpines which included colourful drifts of Silene acaulis (Moss Campion), Trollius europaeus (Globeflower), and Sedum rosea(Roseroot) which were clearly visible to the naked eye.
Many thanks must go to Geoff for his unflagging patience and knowledge which ensured that those of us who had never visited the area before, left with a vivid memory unlikely to diminish. His meticulous planning and consideration was superb as everyone saw what they had hoped for. Thanks must also be extended to Geoff s wife for her support and to Wendy McCarthy for taking the time to guide us around the Great Orme's Head.
NICK RUMENS