2003 Black Heath 9 May One Day "Early Stagers" Meeting
Billed as an 'Early Stagers' meeting, 'to get to grips with aliens', this meeting attracted beginners and real experts. Mike Grant (RHS Wisley) and Clare Coleman were the leaders. Clare gave an informative introduction about the heathland and its management and what wild plants we could expect to find. Mike then led us on a walk around thecommon, pointing out many mature, alien and self-sown trees, shrubs and plants andexplaining the characteristics in detail, such a help to imprint them on the memory.
Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine) was our first tree. This native was well out of its natural range - that is Scotland. The self-sown Pinus pinaster (maritime pine) was our next pine. Amelanchier lamarckii (Juneberry) had shed its star-like white flowers and was bearing fruit. Primus serotina (rum cherry), a self-sown alien was bursting into bloom with its paper thin silk-like leaves. On a sunny grass bank two native geraniums Geranium molle (dove's foot cranes-bill) and Geranium pusillum (small flowered crane's-bill) were closely examined and debated!
Lunch was taken in sunshine by the monument, but still people were crawling around on the short turf examining Veronica arvensis (wall speedwell). After lunch in Blackheath village we found Claytonia perfoliata (spring beauty) another alien, flowering well near Ornithogalum angustifolium (star of Bethlehem) and Oxalis articulata (pink oxalis), both garden throw-outs.
As we entered a clearing to examine Polygonatum x hybridum (garden Solomon's seal) another garden throw-out, the cuckoo called, to the joy of those who had not heard it before this year.
Umbilicus rupestris (navelwort) was found growing on a wall opposite the church, a rarity in Surrey, unlike Teesdalia nudicaulis (shepherd's cress) and Ornithopus perpusillus (birdsfoot), which seem to favour the area.
The day ended with the garden escapes Symphytum 'Hidcote blue' and Symphytum 'Hidcote pink' growing together in roadside undergrowth - we were very fortunate to have both Mike's and Eric Clement's expertise to verify these two species. This was a most interesting meeting, with 30 native, 40 alien (15 garden throw- outs and 25 self-sown plants) on the list.
Thanks must go to Mike for his expert leadership and for sharing his wealth of knowledge. To Clare, also, who 'ran the extra mile' and collected and delivered participants from the station. Thank-you Clare, it is good to know that without a care some meetings are possible.
GILL READ