BSBINews - BSBI Archive - Botanical Society of the British Isles

46 Field meeting reports: 2009 - Conifer Day, Cyril Hart Arboretum (v.c.34) I Chiltern Hills (v.c.24)
the sides of the quarry, too high up on the face
to be safely inspected. Investigation of the
steep beech covered slopes above the quarry
revealed young plants of Tsuga heterophylla
(Western Hemlock-spruce) growing amongst
a few plants of Calluna vulgaris (Heather) and
Luzula sylvatica (Great Wood-rush).
Chiltern Hills of mid-Bucks (v.c.24), 16 th May
About 30 attendees met with the leaders, Roy
Maycock, Aaron Woods, Rodney Sims and
Gareth Luscombe in the new bam at College
Lake reserve. College Lake, and the nearby
Pits tone Fen, were among the first worked-out
chalk pits in the country to be conserved and
developed into nature reserves. After brief
introductory talks on the history of the
reserves, the arable weed project and what
plants we should see during the day, plus a
welcome cup of coffee and biscuits, the group
walked in Indian file along the busy road to
the first site, Pitstone Fen reserve, which is a
small calcareous fen.
Although rather early in the season for many
plants to be in full flower, there was an excellent
general flora present. The first plant of
interest was an extensive colony of the hybrid
horsetail Equisetum xlitorale (E. fluviatile x
arvense) (Water x Field Horsetail) (identity
later confirmed by Pat Acock). As well as
other wetland plants, such as Eupatorium
cannabinum (Hemp-agrimony), Lycopus
europaeus (Gipsywort) and Ranunculus
trichophyllus (Thread-leaved Water-crowfoot),
there was a good selection of calcicoles
of drier habitats, such as Agrimonia eupatoria
(Agrimony), Cirsium acaule (Dwarf Thistle),
Leucanthemum vulgare (Oxeye Daisy),
Polygala vulgaris (Common Milkwort),
Primula veris (Cowslip) and Sherardia arvensis
(Field Madder). The orchids present were
many Dactylorhizafuchsii (Common Spottedorchid),
leaves showing only, and two plants,
in bud, of D. praetermissa (Southern Marshorchid).
Also, in full flower, were many
Listera ovata (Common Twayblade). At the
far end of the reserve were the magnificent
leaves of Cirsium eriophorum (Woolly
Thistle). The two commonest plants in full
flower were Carex flacca (Glaucous Sedge),
CHRIS BOON
which was everywhere, and large patches of
Fragaria vesca (Wild Strawberry).
After a picnic lunch at College Lake, the
party was shown the Arable Weed Nursery,
where the most showy plant was Ranunculus
arvensis (Corn Buttercup). Also in the beds
were Agrostemma githago (Corncockle),
Lithospermum arvense (Field Gromwell),
Scandix pecten-veneris (Shepherd's-needle)
and Valerianella locusta (Common Cornsalad).
Over many years seeds from these
nursery plants have been scattered on a field
nearby and all these plants were observed
there in a more natural habitat.
On the walk back to the car park for the
second part of the day's excursion we were
shown Lithospermum purpureocaeruleum
(Purple Gromwell) and, in a disturbed area
near the lake, a large area of Tetragonolobus
maritimus (Dragon's-teeth). The latter looked
very well established but its origin on the site
is unknown.
After a short journey by car and a delightful
walk to the chalk downland near Ivinghoe
Beacon to Income Hole we were rewarded by
the feathery fruits of Pulsatilla vulgaris
(Pasqueflower) and, in flower, two plants of
Tephroseris integrifolius (Field Fleawort).
Other species of interest were Hippocrepis
comosa (Horseshoe Vetch), Polygala vulgaris
(Common Milkwort) and several Sorbus aria
(Common Whitebeam) in full flower. At the
final stop on Steps Hill there was a good
colony of Gentianella anglica (Early
Gentian). Initially only two plants were seen
but eventually at least a dozen were found, all
in bud. Returning to the car park, in the rain,
we passed some good specimens of Lithospermum
officinale (Common Gromwell) to round
off a very enjoyable visit to Buckinghamshire.