2002 West Yorkshire 10 - 11 July Main Meeting
Bright sunshine greeted an expectant group in the heart of industrial Leeds on the morning of the 10th July. The venue was the crystal clear waters of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. After much throwing of grappling irons six pondweed species were retrieved and finally identified. Potamogeton perfoliatus (perfoliate pondweed), P. trichoides (small pondweed), P. berchtoldii (small pondweed), P. pusillus (lesser pondweed), P. pectinatus (fennel pondweed) and Zannichellia palustris (homed pondweed). Phyl Abbott carefully explained the salient features of each. Many other interesting species were seen including Nymphoides peltata (fringed water lily) and the unusual hybrid Heracleum sphondylium x H. mantegazzianum (hogweed x giant hogweed).
After lunch and soaring temperatures the group moved on to Woodside Quarry. Michael Wilcox who has made a special study of the quarry and knows it well soon had us enthralled by showing us a seemingly endless list of unusual aliens, hybrids and varieties. Several rose hybrids and rarer cotoneasters were observed. I particularly liked the scarce hybrid Linaria purpurea x L. repens - L. x dominii (purple x pale toadflax) and the naturalised Heuchera sanguinea (coralbells). We were temporarily diverted from plants by the sight of a rare great crested newt. Phyl and her husband hosted a much-enjoyed tea party in the evening.
The weather continued to hold good on day two, and we commenced by exploring the impressive Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Reserve, Brockadale. Typical limestone grassland species were soon noted such as Campanula glomerata (clustered bellflower) and Astragalus glycyphyllos (wild liquorice). A brief excursion in Plantlife's Thompson Meadow produced the notable Hypericum montanum (pale St. John's wort). On returning to Brockadale, after much searching we found Ophioglossum vulgatum (adder's tongue). In the afternoon we looked for the Yorkshire speciality, Orobanche reticulata (thistle broomrape). Three fine specimens were soon located at Hook Moor, Aberford, adjacent to the busy A 1. Also, after much discussion Populus x jackii (balm of Gilead) was identified.
Quickly moving on we then made several stops nearby on different roadside verges targeting the various knapweed species which have recently appeared. Alan Lewis was a particular help in their identification. Amongst those seen were Centaurea jacea (brown knapweed), C. jacea x C. nigra - C. x monktonii (hybrid knapweed), C. rhenana, and C. uniflora. Other much-appreciated plants seen were Calla palustris(bog arum) and Trifolium incarnatum ssp. molinerii (long headed clover)
Many thanks are due to Phyll Abbott for coordinating this very successful and well-organised meeting. Excellent weather and plants combined to make it one to remember.
ALASTAIR STEVENSON
For Parnassians, the Sedum forsterianum in Woodside Quarry has been further identified by R. Stephenson as var. elegans. The puzzling rose has not yet been determined.
Phyll Abbott