1998 West Yorkshire 13 - 14 July Main Meeting
Upper Nidderdale greeted 24 members with a rainbow and a passing shower but the meeting enjoyed sunshine and a fresh breeze. In this 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', we met at the How Stean Gorge, a spectacular 80-foot deep limestone ravine. Our leader, Phyl Abbott, first took the group up Yorkshire Water's road towards Scarhouse Reservoir to find Agrimonia procera (Fragrant Agrimony) and typical plants of acid moorland: Cruciata laevipes (Crosswort), Euphrasia nemorosa (Eyebright), Leontodon saxatilis (Lesser Hawkbit), Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common Spotted Orchid), Geranium sylvaticum (Wood Crane's-bill), Hypericum pulchrum (Slender St John's Wort), Dryopteris oreades** (Mountain Male Fem), Potentilla erecta (Tormentil) and Vaccinium myrtillus (Bilberry). Alchemilla xanthoclhlora (Lady's Mantle), Luzuia mulliflora ssp. congesta (Heath Wood-rush), Carex pilulifera (Pill Sedge) and Blechnum spicant (Hard-fem) were also seen in the same area. Returning to How Stean, we proceeded to walk up the lane and streamside paths following a section of the Nidderdale Way. Plants of the streamside and woodland included Stellaria uliginosa (Bog Stitchwort), Epilobium brunnescens (New Zealand Willowherb), and Myosotis secunda (Creeping Water Forget-me-not). Lunch was enjoyed beside a brilliant patch of Mimulus moschatus (Musk), with Cystopteris fragilis (Brittle Bladder Fern) nearby.
Torilis japonica (Upright Hedge-parsley), Pimpinella major (Greater Bumet- Saxifrage), Cirsium heterophyllum (Melancholy Thistle) and Mimulus x robertsii (Hybrid Monkeyflower) were all shown to the group.
Phyl patiently helped beginners and others to sort out various grasses, tricky plants and difficult 'yellow jobs'! Best of all, Phyl ended the meeting at a cafe where members indulged in ice creams and cream teas. Before the day was out, a quick drive up the steep and narrow Lofthouse Road was undertaken to see Myosotis stolonifera (Pale Forget-me-not) growing in a wet roadside ditch.
The second day was another breezy but mostly sunny day. We met at Yorkshire Water's Lumley Moor Reservoir near High Grantley. The muddy banks of this small reservoir supported good colonies of Potentilla palustris (Marsh Cinquefoil), Hydrocotyle vulgaris (Marsh Pennywort), Littorella uniflora (Shoreweed), Veronica scutellata (Marsh Speedwell) and Molinia caerulea (Purple Moor-grass). Smaller patches were found of Apium inundatum (Lesser Marshwort), Carex vesicaria (Bladder Sedge) and non-flowering Viola palustris (Marsh Violet). On the water were colourful patches of Persicaria amphibia (Amphibious Bistort) and Menyanthes trifoliata (Bog Bean). On the drier paths were Achillea ptarmica (Sneezewort) and Erica tetralix (Cross-leaved Heath).
A very short drive took us to Fountains Abbey (National Trust) where lunch was taken. Examination of the ruined walls of this Cistercian Abbey was richly rewarded with Dianthus plumarius (Wild Pink), Minuartia hybrida (Fine-leaved Sandwort), Parietaria judaica (Pellitory-of-the-Wall), Origanum vulgare (Marjoram), Solidago virgaurea (Goldenrod), Hieracium vulgatum (Hawkweed) and Veronica arvensis(Wall Speedwell). Along the banks of the river Skell the beautiful silver-blue flowers of Campanula latifolia (Giant Bellflower) really shone. The meadows at the side of the gorge were another rich habitat with colourful masses of Lilium martagon (Martagon Lily), Galium verum (Lady's Bedstraw), Stachys officinalis (Betony) and Listera ovata (Common Twayblade).
Walking through Studley Royal to a limestone outcrop we spotted two saplings of Sorbus torminalis (Wild Service Tree) at what is believed to be its most northern site. Clinopodium ascendens (Common Calamint) was also seen in flower. Returning through the gorge Scirpus sylvaticus (Wood Club Rush) and Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet Briar) were found. The afternoon ended with a National Trust cup of tea and ice cream at Studley Royal.
This account gives only a few of the marvellous plants which Phyl found for us in this beautiful area of West Yorkshire. We are very grateful to her for showing us so much of interest.
JUNE ROBINSON
Phyl Abbott has written to me to say that the small plant in bud on the walls of Fountains Abbey was later identified as Erigeron acer (Blue Fleabane).
NICK RUMENS
** Phyl Abbot wrote to the Spring 1999 Magazine to say that the Dryopteris oreades (Mountain Male fern) was not seen during the above meeting. The meeting report, mentions D. oreades but this should have read Oreopteris limbosperma (Lemon Scented Fern).