2005 Southwold and Wenhaston Suffolk 21st May One Day Meeting
On a windy but dry day, thirteen members met our leaders Peter Lawson and Graham Peck near the harbour in Southwold. The first plant of the day was the lovely bright pink Armeria maritima (thrift) by the harbour wall. Nearby we saw Smyrnium olusatrum (alexanders) and Anthriscus caucalis (bur chervil), both frequent near the coast. On a grass verge with many minute plants, we adopted the classic 'on the ground' pose and Peter explained the differences between Medicago and Trifolium. Together we found five or six of these, as well as Crassula tillaea (mossy stonecrop) and Poa bulbosa (bulbous meadow-grass). Lotus corniculatus (bird's-foot trefoil) made a real splash of colour on a dull morning. As we reached the dunes Peter explained the adaptations the plants have made to live with very little nourishment or water i.e. very long roots, narrow, waxy or hairy leaves to limit water loss and a mat forming habit.
The scarce Lathyrus japonicus (sea pea) and Honckenya peploides (sea sandwort) showed these characters well.
Carex arenaria (sand sedge) was widespread with the colourful Rumex acetosella(sheep's sorrel) and at the edge of the dunes we saw the ravages created by the large American blue aphid which has attacked and killed many of the Lupinus arboreus(tree lupin) over the years.
Five miles inland, Wenhaston has fine healthy commons cared for by village volunteers and Blackheath, which we visited, is the largest, with several old pits and a dew pond. Here we saw two species of gorse, Ulex europaeus and U. gallii, misleadingly called western gorse, Galium saxatile (heath bedstraw) and Hypochaeris glabra (smooth cat's-ear) a new species for the site. On our knees we compared Aira caryophyllea and A praecox (silver and early hairgrasses) and nearer the pond some parts of the heath were dotted with the blue flowers of Polygala serpyllifolia (heath milkwort). A large flowered water crowfoot on the water had yet to be identified. Here Graham told us of the struggle with Crassula helmsii, the invasive and unwelcome Australian swamp stonecrop.
Some of the group had to start home early while the rest were entertained to tea and sumptuous cakes by the President of the Wenhaston Commons Group, for which we made a collection of £32. It was a rewarding and very enjoyable day and our leaders were congratulated by everyone.
Those who stayed for tea will remember that a group photograph was taken. If you would like a copy (9x6 inches), please telephone Peter Lawson on 01502 722885.
BARBARA MATTHEWS