2001 Cornwall 21 - 22 July Main Meeting
A large group of 24 members, many of us having travelled a long way, met Paul Green our leader for the weekend at Par Beach. Paul handed out an extensive plant list and instructions for the day. We were hopeful of good weather and plants.
It wasn't long before we came across Coincya monensis ssp. cheiranthos (Wallflower Cabbage) and Raphanus raphanistrum ssp. maritimus (Sea Radish) in the dunes. Paul explained that the Coincya with its long narrow pods, was a common plant in the Par area. Nearby, beside the path, we found Filago minima (Small Cudweed) which apparently is rare elsewhere in Cornwall. It began to rain as we approached the beach but this did not dampen our expectations. In an area just above the strand line we were pleased to see Cakile maritima (Sea Rocket), Salsola kali ssp. kali (Prickly Saltwort) and Atriplex laciniata (Frosted Orache) growing together, while in the dunes behind were Calvstegia soldanella(Sea Bindweed) and Euphorbia paralias (Sea Spurge). Further along the beach we were delighted to find Polygonum oxyspermum ssp. raii(Ray's Knotgrass) and one plant of the Red Data Polygonwn maritimum (Sea Knotgrass) with its longer stipules and woody stem. Paul explained how the winter storms affect the distribution of these plants and how last year there were many plants of Polygonum maritimum but these were buried in sand or washed away.
We headed towards the western end of the beach and the harbour and noisy china clay processing works. In cleaning the beach the district council had created a pile of sand and sea weed. This proved to be an interesting spot because as well as impressive plants of Chenopodium ficifolium (Fig-leaved Goosefoot) there was also Lycopersicon esculentum (Tomato) and Helianthus annuus (Sunflower). Unfortunately the rain continued as we headed back over the dunes. Paul had decided to leave his coat in the car, so was getting very wet but his enthusiasm remained undampened. Soon we came across Brassica oleracea var. oleracea(Wild Cabbage) which apparently is fairly common on the coast. Other plants were Scrophularia scorodonia (Balm-leaved Figwort) with its distinctive broad serrate leaves and Rubus phoenicolasius (Japanese Wineberry). This was a new Cornish record last year when Paul discovered it.
Later we came across a rough track where tiny plants of Crassula tillaea(Mossy Stonecrop), Spergularia bocconei (Greek Sea-spurrey) and Trifolium ornithopodioides (Bird's-foot Clover) grew. In the nearby hedge was Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) with its pairs of flowers. By now we were heading inland towards the village, passing Lycium barbarum (Duke of Argyll's Teaplant) and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (Grey Club-rush). Along a grassy track bounding gardens, Paul showed us Geranium submolle (Alderney Crane's- bill), another new record for Cornwall last year when the plant was abundant. Heading back to our cars and more importantly, lunch, we passed through a campsite and by a large pond on which we noted a Great Crested Grebe among the waterfowl. In its margins we were shown Rumex hydrolapathum (Water Dock), the beautiful blue flowered Scutellaria galericulata (Skull-cap) as well as Cyperus eragrostis (Pale Galingale). By now the rain had stopped and we settled down to dry out and enjoy lunch.
The afternoon found us heading to four very interesting sites in the Par area. At Tywardreath we were shown Polystichum munitum (Western Sword-fern) with Polystichum setiferum x P. munitum (Soft Shield-fern x Western Sword- fern) growing on a hedge. A local botanist has known P. munitum at the site for at least 40 years but the hybrid was only discovered in June during a national meeting of the British Pteridological Society.
We next stopped beside the busy Par Moor Road where in the verges we were pleased to see Polypogon viridis (Water Bent) and the nationally scarce Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii (Babington's Leek). Our third stop of the afternoon was at Trenowah Road where we studied the flora of a recently constructed road verge. Here Paul showed us Sanguisorba minor ssp. muricata(Fodder Burnet) and the unusual Rumex acetosa ssp. ambiguus. These were considered to have been introduced as a grass seed contaminant but the fleshy Rumex in particular was interesting. Our final stop of the afternoon was at Carvear Moor where we explored a rough track. We started to search for some very small plants. First we looked successfully for Radiola linoides (Allseed) and Isolepis cernua (Slender Club-rush) and as we continued along the track Paul asked us to look out for Anagallis minima (Chaffweed). Reaching the end of the track we were unexpectedly confronted with spectacular views of Eden's biomes. Delighted with this, many of us were distracted from the Chaffweed until we had absorbed the atmosphere created by Eden. But we did find the Chaffweed which nicely rounded off an enjoyable day.
On the Sunday we met at the picturesque village of Lerryn with its medieval stone arched bridge crossing the tidal river. Beside the bridge we were shown Hypericum x desetangsii (H. perforatum x H. maculatum) (Des Etangs' StJohn's- wort). Downstream on grassy river banks were Althaea officinalis (Marsh-mallow) and Trifolium fragiferum (Strawberry Clover). Apparently the Althaea was introduced in a nearby garden some 15 years ago but has now clearly naturalised well along the river. With the tide low we returned to the cars, those who were nimble enough by way of the hexagonal shaped stepping stones, looking like a miniature giant's causeway across the creek.
Our next stop was Cornwall Wildlife Trust's Redlake Cottage Meadows Nature Reserve. This contained a wealth of plants that alone could warrant a day. In a wet meadow we were delighted with Hypericum undulatum (Wavy St John's- wort) but we were most excited by the Lobelia urens (Heath Lobelia). We had to tread with great care in the meadows to minimise damage to the flora and fauna as we took the opportunity to photograph the tall beautiful blue lobelia. On our way out, while the buzzards cried overhead, Paul pointed out a large population of Anagallis minima (Chaffweed), putting the plants we saw the previous day to shame.
Our lunch stop was at Forest Enterprise's Cardinham Woods, where there were welcome picnicking facilities. Refreshed by our food and rest, we headed into the woods to see Sibthorpia europaea (Cornish Moneywort), and Dryopteris aemula (Hay-scented Buckler-fern) and the unusual Epilobium pedunculare (Rockery Willowherb). We left the woods for our next stop at Bunny's Hill, first travelling along some beautiful fern-clad wooded Cornish lanes before we came into the more open country. Bunny's Hill is a small area of moorland. Here there was an outstanding display of the rare Physospermum cornubiense (Cornish Bladderseed) which amazed us all. In the heath we found the endemic purple-flowered Euphrasia vigursii (Vigur's Eyebright). Finally we stopped at the now abandoned Doublebois Quarry beside the busy A38 road where hedging stone was once quarried. Here we were introduced to a fascinating range of Epilobium hybrids including two involving Epilobium brunnescens.
We must thank Paul for the informative and interesting weekend. The unfortunate foot-and-mouth crisis meant his original plans had to be changed and he spent many weekends planning the revised programme. Paul's hard work certainly paid off as we assembled a large list of plants for a good variety of habitats. We hope it will not be long before we have another meeting in beautiful Cornwall.
MATT STRIBLEY