2000 Guernsey 17 - 24 May Main Meeting
After varying fortunes on the journey, 18 members met our leader Rachel Rabey at our hotel. We were also joined by local experts Patience Ryan and Bridget Ozanne and, to our pleasure, by David McClintock for part of the first two days.
On our first day we met at Fort Doyle and set off along the north coast path, passing through various habitats from rocky headlands to seashore, commons and brackish ponds. During the morning we were delighted by two tiny plants Isoetes histrix (Land Quillwort) and Crassula tillaea (Mossy Stonecrop). Peaflowers, however, were a characteristic of the morning, including Trifolium occidentale (Western Clover) and Ornithopus pinnatus (Orange Bird's Foot). We also saw all three varieties of Silene gallica (Small flowered Catchfly), vars gallica, anglica and the pretty quinquevulnera. At lunchtime we were surrounded by Silene conica (Sand Catchfly). Among many records made during the afternoon the most striking were perhaps Milium vernale ssp. sarniensis (Early Millet), Herniaria ciliolata (Fringed Rupturewort) and Geranium submolle (Alderney Cranesbill). We were intrigued to be shown Artemisia verlotiorum, Rachel's own surprising find on L'Ancresse. To conclude a splendid day we were thrilled to find Ophioglossum lusitanicum (Least Adder's Tongue) still visible and green at Fort Hommet.
Next day on our way to our meeting place at L'Eree Bay we stopped to see Asplenium x sarniensis (Guernsey Spleenwort), the cross between A. adiantum- nigrum and A. obovatum. We spent the morning on a circuit of Fort Saumarez with views of Lihou Island. The trenches below the fort had been trimmed but we still saw the specialities Gnaphalium undulatum (Cape Cudweed), Polycarpon tetraphyllum (Four-leaved Allseed) on the walls and Spergularia bocconii (Greek Sea Spurrey) back on the roadside, on our hands and knees much to the interest of a busload of French geologists.
In the afternoon we went inland to see the orchid fields of the Societe Guernesiaise. Orchis laxiflora (Loose-flowered Orchid) put on a fine show for us. On our return journey stops were made to see Matthiola sinuata (Sea Stock), Centaurea aspera (Rough Star Thistle) and Cytisus scoparius ssp. maritimus (Prostrate Broom), among other plants. Finally near Sous L'Eglise we were shown x Asplenophyllitis microdon, the Guernsey fern, the hybrid between Phyllitis scolopendrium and Asplenium obovatum. This was down a shady lane that Rachel told us was typical of the lanes before Dutch Elm Disease took its toll.
That evening Rachel's brother-in-law Michael Wilson gave us a most interesting talk on "Guernsey, why we are different" which took our thoughts away from plants for a while.
Saturday was spent on Herm. It was a lovely day, if somewhat windy. First a walk up the road to see Allium neapolitanum (Neapolitan Garlic) and A. subhirsutum (Hairy Garlic). On the shore path towards the dunes Erodium maritimum (Sea Storksbill) eventually showed us one flower. Nearby was Cynoglossum officinale (Hound's Tongue), found here but surprisingly nowhere on Guernsey. As we were searching for Bupleurum baldense (Small Hare's Ear) (we found it), we were joined by a party from Sark led by Mrs Marcia Marsden. A walk along the beach took us to see the rare Rumex rupestris (Shore Dock) then we rejoined the cliff path to continue our circuit of the island. Many more peaflowers were in evidence including Trifolium glomeratum (Clustered Clover). We also saw Silene nutans (Nottingham Catchfly), another plant which is missing from Guernsey.
On Sunday we walked from Rachel's house towards the Moulin Huet cliff path where Muehlenbeckia complexa (New Zealand Wire Plant) was conspicuous, hanging in curtains above the path. Among many other finds were Asplenium obovatum (Lanceolate Spleenwort) and A. adiantum-nigrum (Black Spleenwort), conveniently growing side by side for comparison. Near the point where Renoir painted his view of Moulin Huet Bay in 1883 was a fine stand of Pilosella peleteriana ssp. peleteriana (Shaggy Mouse-ear Hawkweed). The evening was spent enjoying a barbecue at the Ozannes' house with members of the Societe Guernesiaise.
Monday was Sark day. Some of the party were met by Marcia for a leisurely visit. Most of us joined Rachel for a walk along, or rather up and down, the coast path and we were thrilled to find Juncus capitatus (Dwarf Rush) though it was in danger of becoming smothered by other vegetation. At La Coupee we inspected Anthyllis vulneraria ssp. corbierei (Corbier's Kidney Vetch) and finished by visiting the gardens of La Seigneurie before making our way back to the ferry.
For the last day the party divided, eleven flying to Alderney to meet Brian Bonnard. They had an interesting but rather wet day, the highlight on their list being Tuberaria guttata (Spotted Rock Rose). It was noted with interest that Anthriscus sylvestris (Cow Parsley) was there in plenty, though it is virtually absent on Guernsey, Sark and Herm. That party were unable to return that evening on account of fog, but they did arrive back in Guernsey just in time to pack and depart.
The remainder of the party had a splendid, almost dry, day driving about with Rachel to see a variety of plants at a number of different sites. The best of these was a Grantez Mill where, after much measuring from Rachel's precise instructions, we determined x Asplenophyllitis jacksonii, the cross between Phyllitis scolopendrium and Asplenium adiantum-nigrum. Another treasure was Anogramma leptophylla (Jersey Fern) recovering from near destruction by a lorry.
With most of the party in Alderney, six of us had dinner with Rachel. It was not an occasion for formality but Rachel was warmly thanked on everyone's behalf for her outstanding leadership and for a wonderful week. Very many thanks are also due to Patience Ryan, Norma Guppy, Bridget and Terry Ozanne and all the members of La Societe Guernesiaise for their kindness and their hospitality.
JUDY DINWIDDIE