2006 Malham Tarn 6th to 7th July Main Meeting
Sixteen members assembled in the picturesque Dales village of Malham for a memorable exploration of the local Northern England flora. We met up on Thursday morning at Street Gate under a clear blue sky and with the sun reflecting off the limestone rock. Phyl Abbott presented us with a key for the Alchemilla species of the Dales and introduced us to most of them and to many other plants over the course of the two days.
We set off for Gordale Beck and almost immediately were shown Alchemilla glaucescens and A. filicaulis ssp. vestita, both growing by the side of the path. Typical limestone grasses found here and elsewhere were Koeleria macrantha (Crested Hair- grass) and Sesleria caerulea (Blue Moor-grass). By the track we also found Sagina nodosa (Knotted Pearlwort) and Arenaria serpyllifolia ssp. serpyllifolia (Thyme-leaved Sandwort).
Leaving the track we reached the marshy areas around Gordale Beck. Here were found Primula farinosa (Bird's-eye Primrose), some still in flower, and a number of sedges including Carex hostiana (Tawny Sedge), C. dioica (Dioecious Sedge) and C. pulicaris (Flea Sedge). Selaginella selaginoides (Lesser Clubmoss), Eleocharis quinqueflora (Few-flowered Spike-rush) and Equisetum variegatum (Variegated Horsetail) were also present. Walking down to the bridge and crossing the beck we found a good clump of Blysmus compressus (Flat Sedge).
Having exhaustively explored this site we moved on to a car park adjacent to the drainage stream from Malham Tarn. In a marshy area by the stream both Dactylorhiza purpurella (Northern Marsh-orchid) and D. incarnata (Early Marsh- orchid) were found and we were also pleased to see the hybrid with intermediate colour and other features. Glyceria declinata (Small Sweet-grass) and G. fluitans(Floating Sweet-grass) were also on this site with Pedicularis palustris (Marsh Lousewort). Just a little downstream and on the other side of the road beyond wire fencing was found the narrow-leaved hybrid Potamogeton x nitens (Bright- leaved Pondweed) with one parent P. gramineus (Various-leaved Pondweed) just a little below in the stream and apparently the other parent, P. perfoliatus (Perfoliate Pondweed), was present higher upstream. After lunch we regrouped at Langscar Gate for a descent through the Watlowes to the base of Malham Cove. We were fortunate to have dry conditions underfoot. Plants included Galium sterneri (Limestone Bedstraw) and Sorbus rupicola (rock Whitebeam) found on the cliffs, and Polystichum lonchitis (Holly Fern) and Actaea spicata (Baneberry) on the limestone pavement. Eventually we followed an impressive flight of steps downwards into Malham Cove where two further species of lady's-mantle, Alchemilla glabra and A. xanthochlora, were found to add to the list. A little further was seen a good spread of Polemonium caeruleum (Jacob's-ladder) and, with difficulty, Thlaspi caerulescens (Alpine Penny-cress) was found. The merit of this linear and downhill walk was evident at the end of a hot day when drivers were ferried back to collect their cars from Langscar Gate and returned to join up for tea and cake at Beck Hall in Malham.
Friday was overcast but dry and most of the day was spent exploring the south-eastern aspect of Malham Tarn including Ha Mire and the woods around the Field Centre. Of special note was Rhinanthus minor ssp. monticola (Yellow-rattle) growing along the edge of the Tam. The hybrid of common spotted and northern marsh-orchid was identified and, rather unexpectedly, a clump of Juncus alpinoarticulatus (Alpine Rush). A plethora of other marsh plants was found including Myosotis laxa (Tufted Forget-me-not), M. secunda (Creeping Forget-me-not) and M. scorpioides (Water Forget-me-not) and good numbers of sedges. Close by the Field Centre Cymbalaria pallida (Italian Toadflax) and Alchemilla conjuncta (Silver Lady's-mantle) were found naturalised on a wall and as we walked beyond the Field Centre, in a grassy area, were found Alchemilla glomerulans and A. wichurae.
We returned to the cars in early afternoon and drove on to visit the aptly named Globe-flower Wood albeit with only a few flowers remaining. Interest had been expressed to look for Polygala amarella (Dwarf Milkwort). Phyl held little hope of success but took us to a previously known site reached by scrambling through woods to find an overgrown grassy slope alongside a stream. Dismissing the larger flowers of Polygala vulgaris (Common Milkwort) we eventually keyed in to the much smaller flowers of P. amarella and identification was confirmed not just by the lack of vein anastomosis on the sepals but also by the acutely bitter taste of a leaf. This highlight concluded a very rewarding two days and we departed to our various destinations as very happy participants.
As usual Phyl had been exceptionally diligent in researching the sites before the meeting. With characteristic humour she took pleasure in pointing out the classic northern plants to the southerners amongst us and over the two days an excellent plant list was accumulated. Many thanks to Phyl for arranging such an excellent field trip.
PETER HILTON