2003 Betchworth Quarry and Buckland Hills 19 April One Day Meeting
This was a joint trip with the London Natural History Society and despite the cold, dull weather 32 people attended.
We started off by visiting Betchworth Quarry where on the edge of the road there was a hybrid swarm of Hyacinthoides hispanica x non-scripta. We looked carefully and noted the drooping spike of the native species with broader leaves and the more erect habit of the alien introduction. The anther colours varied from the cream of H. non-scripta to the blue of H. hispanica.
We then entered the quarry and stopped to look at a new Surrey Wildlife Trust reserve. Viola hirta (hairy violet) was plentiful in the downland turf and we were able to look at the differences between it and Viola reichenbachiana (early dog-violet). The hairy violet had blunt sepals and patent (sticking straight out) hairs on the petioles whereas the early dog violet had pointed sepals and hairless petioles. It was interesting to see that the recent scrub clearance had resulted in the finding of a large mature tree of Juniperus communis (juniper) which is becoming quite scarce.
Further up the quarry where landfill debris had been dumped we found some species characteristic of disturbed soils - Mercurialis annua (annual mercury) and Urtica urens (small nettle). Also on the track edges were the leaves of Galega officinalis (goat's rue) said to increase milk production in goats by up to 50% in some animals.
We then retraced our steps and continued on to the Buckland Hills. Here in the woods were the leaves of Iris foetidissima (roast beef plant), smelling of roast beef when crushed. When we reached the foot of the escarpment the woods contained large numbers of Viola riviniana (common dog-violet). Like its close relative the early dog-violet it also has pointed sepals. The spur however is stout, curved, notched at the end and paler in colour than the rest of the flower. In early dog-violet the spur is straight, un-notched and darker in colour than the rest of the flower.
Gentiana clusii (trumpet gentian) was the cause of much excitement when we finally reached the main site of this amazing plant. It was disappointing as the cloudy weather meant the flowers were not fully open, but the two colonies were much admired. It was planted here in the 1960s (native to the Alps), and has now spread to at least five colonies along the escarpment.
We then continued along the Downs to see the other smaller colonies of the gentian. Polygala calcarea (chalk milkwort) was found in the turf en route and its basal rosette and dark blue flower colour noted. There was also Polygala vulgaris(common milkwort) nearby so we could compare the differences, no basal rosette and a purplish or pale-blue colour.
Near the other two colonies of the gentian were two alien cotoneasters. The more common (at least inland) Cotoneaster horizontalis with its herring-bone pattern of branching and closed red flowers (not yet out) and the less common C. integrifoliuswith white open, star-like flowers also not yet flowering.
The group then left the Downs and headed back to our starting point along lanes and fields appreciating the spring flowers in the hedge banks. A very pleasant walk worth repeating later in the year when the orchids are out. Thanks to all the people who turned out and made this a rewarding trip.
GARETH BURSNALL