2005 West Cornwall 28th to 30th May
An eager assemblage of WFS members met up at Lizard Green where we were greeted by our two leaders, Paul Green and Matt Stribley. Our first main venue started at Kynance Car Park. A very pleasant walk around Kynance produced many goodies, including such rarities as Trifolium strictum (Upright clover), Viola lactea (Pale Dog-violet) and Erica x williamsii (not in flower unfortunately), and Juncus capitatus (Dwarf Rush), Allium schoenoprasum (Chives), Cicendia filiformis (Yellow Centaury) on the famous Kynance bank above the stream, and further on the delightful Ranunculus tripartitus (Three-lobed Water-crowfoot). A long walk produced Hypochaeris maculata (Spotted Cats-ear) and Allium ampeloprasum var. babingtonii (Wild Leek), and Orobanche alba (Thyme Broomrape), and Asparagus officianilis ssp. prostratus (Prostrate Asparagus) along the cliffs.
Day two saw us embark on another long walk along the coast, to see the rarest subspecies of Juniper - Juniperus communis ssp. hemispheria, at Gew-graze and the much sought after and exquisite Trifolium bocconei (Twin-headed Clover) near Kynance Farm, in good numbers, was an unexpected treat. We were also shown Polypodium x montoniae by Matt. In the afternoon we returned to the Lizard and walked along the coast and highlights included Fumaria occidentalis (Western Ramping-fumitory), and Vicia bithynica (Bithynian vetch). We then walked down to Church Cove, and came across Sedum confusum (Lesser Mexican-stonecrop), and Dicksonia antarctica (Australian Tree-fern), the latter produced much discussion as to whether it was planted or not.
Day three saw us start at Rinsey Head where amidst some stunning coastal scenery Spergularia bocconei (Greek Sea-spurrey), was in flower, and was much admired, perhaps more for its rarity than its beauty. We then proceeded to Marazion car park, where a Shepherd's purse species was spotted, and was examined closely by everyone. A specimen was later confirmed as Capsella rubella (Pink Shepherd's-purse). We then walked further on along the sea wall and found, in good numbers, the nationally rare Polygonum mantimum (Sea Knotgrass).
A quick stop at Tescos car park in Penzance produced an impressive stand of 50 Lavatera cretica (Cretan mallow) nearby, and a very rare alien, Galactites tomentosa. We then stopped near Hayle for lunch, and sawFumaria purpurea (purple ramping fumitory), and Scrophularia scorodonia (Balm-leaved Figwort). We then successfully twitched Valerianella eriocarpa (Hairy-fruited Cornsalad) by a roadside. Our final stop was Phillack Towans, where we saw the three long naturalised alkanet species, including the two hybrids, and the unusual Rumex frutescens (Argentine dock), and its hybrid with broad-leaved dock, Rumex x cornubiensis. Finally to keep the Parnassians happy, Dactylorhiza praetermissa var. junialis was identified, as was Valerianella locusta var dunensis.
To sum up then, a superb meeting ably led by Paul and Matt, amidst fantastic scenery in beautiful surroundings.
ALASTAIR STEVENSON