1999 Silverdale Lancashire 26 May One Day Meeting
Sixteen members attended and although a dry morning, overnight rain had made it wet underfoot and care had to be taken on the limestone on entering Jubilee Wood for Daphne mezereum (Mezereon). Along the trackside were Paris quadrifolia(Herb Paris) and Convallaria majalis (Lily-of-the-Valley) and although the latter is a shy flowerer there were three or four plants in bloom. Out into the lane Crepis biennis (Rough Hawk's-beard) was plentiful; not a common plant in the north. A plant for the Parnassus group was Chiastophyllum oppositifolium (Lamb's Tails) growing out of the wall on the field side of the lane. Continuing our circular walk passing a pond with Hippuris vulgaris (Mare's-tail) and Veronica catenata (Pink Water-Speedwell). We approached a wet meadow when a member spotted Carex digitata (Fingered Sedge) in a good condition. The wet meadow also produced Lychnis flos-cuculi (Ragged Robin), Valeriana dioica (Marsh Valerian) and several sedges.
On the limestone walls, a feature of this area, we saw several ferns, two of which were Ceterach officinarum (Rusty Back) and Cystopteris fragilis (Brittle Bladder-fern). Out onto the 'Lots' where each year an area is fenced off by the National Trust to protect Orchis morio (Green Winged Orchid) from the sheep. Here also were Orchis mascula (Early Purple Orchid), Sherardia arvensis (Field Madder), Trifolium striatum (Knotted Clover) and Festuca ovina ssp. hirtula (Sheep's Fescue). On the rocks by the cove Hippocrepis comosa (Horseshoe Vetch) was plentiful. We then continued up Cove Lane and made for Eaves Wood via Wallings Lane where we found Geranium columbinum (Long-stalked Crane's-bill) on the track.
Into Eaves Wood, where masses of Hypericum xylosteifolium (Turkish Tutsan) had escaped from the nearby house, we then returned to the cars. Several members wished to see Ophrys insectifera (Fly Orchid) so off we went to a roadside bank at Sandside ending the day at Gait Barrows for Polygonatum odoratum (Angular Solomon's Seal).
JULIE CLARKE