1999 Ham Riverlands, Kew and Barnes 18 July One Day Meeting
Despite a long period of very hot, dry weather, there were interesting plants still to be seen on the meeting led by Mary Clare Sheahan and Stella Luce. Lepidium latifolium (Dittander), Bunias orientalis (Warty Cabbage) and livid purple Medicago sativa ssp. varia (Sand Lucerne) were among the plants of Ham Riverlands, an area of in-filled gravel pits. The clear yellow of Medicago sativa ssp. falcata (Sickle Medick) was pointed out on Barnes Common, where Lycium chinense (Chinese Tea Plant) and Artemisia verlotiorum (Chinese Mugwort) were also found. A single plant of Verbascum blattaria (Moth Mullein) was shown and Rumex cristatus (Greek Dock) drew attention.
The long-disused cemetery at Barnes had five cotoneasters. Sisymbrium strictissimum (Perennial Rocket) was one of several naturalised attractions in St Anne's churchyard, Kew, and the nearby riverside boasted Buddleja x weyeriana. Other plants at Ham were Sherardia arvensis (Field Madder) and Eschscholzia californica (Californian Poppy) and at Barnes Conyza sumatrensis (Guernsey Fleabane), Papaver atlanticum (Atlas Poppy) and Digitaria sanguinalis (Hairy Finger-grass). Hieracium speluncarum, H. salticola, H. cheriense and H. scotostictum were seen along the way.
At the end of a scorching day a happy group much enjoyed the tea and cake provided by Mary Clare in the cooling shade of the large and fruitful mulberry tree in her garden.
STELLA LUCE